iiii 


.'>^%-;>:^y.a- 


1  -i.  ./^--^ 


V       '  '■f 


PRINCETON,    N.    J. 


Dili,: 


Shflf. ,\„m; 


>  'A 


7 


/■- 


Glad  Tidings, 

OR 

AN  ACCOUNT 


STATE  OF  RELIGION, 


WITHIN   THE  BOUNDS  OF  THE 


GENERAL  ASSEMBLT 


PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH 


UNITED  STATES  OF  AMERICA; 


IN  OTHER  PARTS  OF  THE  WORLD. 


AKKN     FROM     TtriC     RFPORTS  OF   THEIR    MEMBF.RS,     AND    THEIR 
COMMITTEE    OF     MISSIONS;      PUBLISHED    BY    THE      SAID 
COMMITTEE,    WITH     THE    APPROBATION    OF    THE 
GENERAL    ASSEMBLY    FOR    THE    INFORMA- 
TION     OF      THE      PEOPLE      UNDER 
THEIR    CARE. 


Gu  ye  into  all  the  ivorld  and  preach  the  Gospel  to  every 
creature.     Mark  xvi    15. 

I.o  !  I  am  tvith  you  aliuays,  even  unto  the  end  of  the  ivorld.. 
Amen,      Matt,  xxviii.   20. 


Pkiladelpliia : 

TROM    THE    PRESS    OF    THE    LATE    R.    AITKEN, 

PKIMTEn  BY  JANE  AITKEN,  No.  20,   NORTH  THIRD 
STREET. 

"mi'. 


The  General  Assembly  appointed  a  committee  to  draw 
up  a  Summary  of  Information  received  in  a  free 
Conversation  on  the  State  of  Religion,  tvJio  made 
t lie  following  Report,  wJiieJi  was  adopted  by  the 
Assembly. 

ALTHOUGH  every  fincere  chriftian  muft  lament  that 
inattention  to  the  ordinances  of  religion,  and  the  fmali  impreflion 
which  its  facred  truths  make  on  the  hearts  of  men,  which  are  vi- 
fible  in  many  and  extenfive  portions  of  our  country;  yet,  the  As- 
fembly  have  heard,  with  the  highefl:  fatisfadlion,  of  the  prevalence? 
and  increafing  influence  of  vital  and  practical  godlinefs  throughouc 
the  greater  part  of  the  Prefbyteries  which  compofe  our  body.  With- 
in thofe  wide  diftridts,  towards  the  fouth  and  weft,  from  which  the 
laft  AfTembly  heard,  with  fo  much  pleafure,  the  glad  tidings  of  the 
great  falvation  manifefted  there,  the  power  of  religion  appears  ftiil 
to  prevail,  with  little  abatement.  And  although  through  the  fubtilty 
of  the  adverfary  of  fouls,  and  the  influence  of  human  frailty,  feme 
errors,  extravagancies,  and  inftances  of  reproachful  behaviour,  have 
taken  place,  which  the  Aflembly  do  fincerely  regret,  and  moft  un- 
equivocally difapprove  and  condemn;  yet  are  they  happy  to  learn, 
and  it  is  a  facred  duty  which  they  owe  to  the  churches,  to  announce, 
that,  notwithftanding  the  malignity  with  which  the  enemies  of  reli- 
gion have  ftudied  to  mifreprefent,  and  rejoiced  to  exaggerate  thefe 
undefirable  events,  they  are  chiefly  confined  to  one  diftridt  of  no  great 
extent;  and  they  are  certainly  very  rare,  confidering  the  immenfe 
region,  through  which  this  work  has  prevailed,  and  the  vaft  variety  of 
charafters  who  have  been  its  fubjeds. 

The  Aflembly,  moreover,  have  the  unfpeakable  fatisfadion  to 
announce,  that  the  extraordinary  influences  of  the  Divine  Spirit 
have,  fince  the  laft  year,  been  fpread  over  new  and  veiy  extenfive 
countries,  ftill  farther  to  the  fouth  and  weft.  To  the  north-weft 
and  north,  from  the  river  Ohio  to  the  Lakes,  (a  vaft  region  wiiich, 
a  few  years  ago,  was  an  uninhabited  wildernefs,)  new  churches  are 
forming  with  aitonifliing  rapidity:  and  the  Spirit  of  God  feems 
to  be  remarkably  poured  out,  and  to  accompany  the  word,  and  or- 
dinances of  the  gofpel,  with  the  nioft  folemn  and  affeding  impreflions. 

The  fame  fpirit  appears  to  prevail  through  a  large  portion  of  the 
Synod  of  New  York  and  Ncv/  Jerfey,  and  the  Synod  of  Albany. 
Its  effecls  though  more  filent,  feem  to  be  not  lefs  deep,  nor  confo- 
Jing  to  the  friends  of  true  religion.  Sinners  are  convinced,  and 
fi,ncere  believers  comforted,  and  eftabllflied  in  the  faith  and  hope 


of  the  gofpcl.  Trophies  are  continually  raifcd  to  the  grace  of  the 
Redeemer;  and  numbers  are  almoft  daily  added  to  the  church  of 
fuch,  we  truft,  as  fhall  be  faved.  In  the  churches  in  which  thefe 
extraordinary  influences  of  the  Divine  Spirit  are  not  fo  confpicuous, 
the  power,  and  the  falutary  effefls  of  the  ordinances  of  the  gofpel, 
feem,  notwithftanding,  to  be  vifibly  progrefHng.  That  inattention 
to  the  things  of  religion ;  that  neglect  of  its  institutions;  that  tenden- 
cy to  infidelity,  or  to  fcepticifm  in  principle,  and  to  diffolutenefs  of 
manners,  which,  a  few  years  fince,  the  truly  pious  had  fo  much  reafon 
to  deplore,  are,  in  moft  places,  evidently  arretted;  and  the  tide  of 
public  fentiment  has  happily  begun  to  flow  in  a  contrary  dircclion. 
Places  of  divine  worfhip  are,  in  general,  more  frequented ;  the  in- 
flitutions  of  religion  are  held  in  higher  honor,  and  attended  with 
greater  folemnity,  and  apparent  demotion. — The  like  agreeable  tf- 
dings  have  been  received  from  our  aflbciated  brethren  of  the  eaftern 
churches,  who  are  dwelling  together  in  peace,  and  in  the  unity  and 
faith  of  tlie  blefled  gofpel. 

The  AfTerably  have  likewife  heard,  with  uncommon  fatisfaflion, 
of  the  increafing  number  of  focieties  for  the  purpofes  of  prayer, 
and  for  the  promotion  of  piety  and  good  morals.  It  is  the  ordinary 
courfe  of  divine  providence,  that,  when  God  defigns  to  pour  out 
his  Spirit  in  a  remarkable  manner  on  his  churches;  and  to  increafe 
and  extend  the  influence  of  true  religion;  he  firft  awakens  among 
his  own  people  a  fpirit  of  prayer,  and  of  fervent  fupplication  at  the 
throne  of  grace,  for  this  bleiling.  And  the  AfTembly  do  earneftly 
recommend  it  to  all  who  love  the  appearing  of  the  great  God,  even 
our  Saviour  Jefus  Chrift,  to  meet  often  together;  tojiir  one  another 
tip  to  love  and  good  ivorls,  and  to  wrefUe  in  prayer  wiih  God,  like 
the  faints  of  old,  for  the  profperity  of  Zion,  //'//  the  r'lghteoufnefs 
thereof  go  forth  as  bnghlmj's,  and  the  fahat'ton  thereof  as  a  lamp 
that  biirneth. 

It  is,  moreover,  no  fmall  ground  of  confolation,  to  obferve  the 
pious  difpofition  manifefted,  and  the  increaCng  efforts  which  are 
made,  more  effeflually  to  extend  the  knowledge  of  the  way  of 
falvation  to  the  unhappy  and  enflaved  blacks  in  our  country;  and 
to  fend  the  ineftimable  blelangs  of  the  gofpel.  along  with  the  im- 
provements of  civilization,  to  the  heathen  and  favage  tribes  in  our 
vicinity;  to  fave  thefe  wretched  people  from  utter  extermination; 
and  to  raife  up  from  the  remnants  of  fo  many  deflrucffivc  wars,  the 
feeds  of  future  and  great  nations,  who  Ihall  enlarge  the  kingdom 
of  the  Redeemer.  The  reports  of  the  AfTembly's  miiTionaries  in 
the  Cherokee,  and  Catawba  nations,  have  rendered  the  profpeds, 
of  introducing  among  thern,  letters  &  civilization,  the  arts  of  peace, 
and  the  precious  lights  of  the  gofpel,  more  promifing  than,  at  any 
period,  they  have  ever  been. 


Finally,  the  Aflembly,  rejoicing  themfelves  in  the  grace  of  the 
Great  Head  ot  the  Church,  have  again  the  happincls  to  offer  to 
the  churches  under  their  care,  increafing  caufe  of  thanksgiving, 
and  praife,  to  the  God  of  all  mercy  and  truth.  And,  they  intreat 
the  co-operation  of  their  prayers,  and  their  charity,  for  the  promo- 
tion of  the  Redeemer's  glory,  and  the  falvation  of  precious  and 
immortal  fouls. — And  now,  to  God  Almighty,  Father,  Son,  and 
Holy-Spirit,  who  hath  given  us  this  rcafon  to  rejoice,  be  glory  and 
Ijonor,  world  without  end!      AmcnJ 


COMMITTEE  OF  MISSIONS, 


COMPLIANCE    WITH 


The  lleqimition  of  the  General  Assembly, 


NOW  REPORT- 
IT  is  with  pleafure  that  the  committee  are  enabled  to  begin 
this  information  with  notice  of  a  new  Miflionary  Society,  having  been 
eftabliflied  in  New-Hampflaire,  the  latter  end  of  the  Jafl:  year,  or  the 
beginning  of  theprefent — By  their  Conftitution  it  appears  that  they 
are  zealoufly  engaged  in  the  fame  common  caufe  with  the  General 
Aflembly,  having  explicitly  declared  their  defign  of  aflbciating  to- 
gether, to  be  "  for  the  increafe  of  knowledge  and  evangelical  piety; 
for  the  promotion  of  the  prefent  well  being,  and  eternal  falvation  of 
men,  from  a  confideration  of  the  great  number  ofthofe  who  are  in 
danger  of  perifhing  through  lack  of  vifion,  among  whom  the  divine 
word  and  ordinances  cannot  be  ftatediy  enjoyed  :  from  a  defire  that 
grace,  mercy,  and  peace,  may  be  multiplied  to  them,  through  the 
knowledge  of  God  and  of  Jefus  Chrift  our  Lord." — This  Society 
is  denominated,  "the  F'lscataiuay  MiJJionary  Society."  In  the  in- 
fancy of  this  Inditution,  four  miffionaries  were  employed  for  part  of 
the  firft  year,  who  in  Auguft  laft  reported,"  That  their  fervices  in 
the  new  fettlemcnts  both  in  the  diftricfl:  of  Main  and  in  New-York, 
were  gratefully  acknowledged.  In  fome  inftances  ferious  impreffi- 
ons  were  made,  convidions  produced,  reformations  effected,  diffi- 
culties removed,  order  and  peace  reftored,  fchools  were  vifited, 
examined  and  inftrudcd.  Churches  formed,  and  the  ordinances  ad- 
minidered,  people  crowded  to  attend  ledures  and  conferences,  and 
to  hear  the  word  of  life.  They  are  not  eafily  fatisfied  with  hearing, 
but  noticed  with  wonder  and  pleafure.  the  meafurcs  which  were  ta- 
ken for  their  beft  interefts  by  thofe  v.'ho  lived  fo  remote  from  them. 
Frequently  different  religious  fefts  attended  with  decency  upon  their 
public  labors,  and  appeared  pleafed  and  profited.  They  often  aflem- 
bled  even  in  uncomfortable  places  and  inconvenient  buildings.  The 
niif;ion:irics  penetrated  through  difficult  and  rugged  ways  into  places 
v.'here  none  had  been  fent  before,  and  were  unexpeded.     They  did 


not  fpare  themfelves,  but  labored  much  in  the  Lord  ;  and  it  is  chari- 
tably hoped  that  the  bleflings  of  fouls  ready  to  pcrifh  reft  upan  them. 
One  ofthefe  Gentlemen  gives  it  as  his  opinion,  that  the  miffio nary 
bufinefs  isof  great  importance  if  judicioufly  managed.  That  fpecial 
regard  fhould  be  had  to  the  charader  and  experience  of  thofe  who 
are  employed.  He  ftates  feveral  of  the  advantages  as  they  prefented 
themfelves  to  him,  arifing  from  a  difcreet  and  fteady  management  of 
millions.  Among  which  are  the  following.  They  ferve  to  counter- 
aft  the  powerful  inclination  of  people  in  a  new  country  wholly  to 
negleft  the  concern  of  their  fouls,  and  regard  nothing  but  procuring 
a  comfortable  fubfiflence. — They  check  the  pernicious  influence  of 
the  immoral  and  unprincipled.  They  encourage  and  ftrengthen 
the  few  pious  charaflers  which  are  to  be  met  with,  in  their  duty. 
They  ferve  to  fecure  the  youth  from  the  dangers  to  which  they  are 
expofed,  and  incline  them  to  hear  and  regard  the  truth.  To 
convince  of  the  utility  of  civil  order,  good  neighbourhood  and 
friendly  intercourfe.  To  imprefs  a  deep  convidtion  of  the  im- 
portance of  religious  inftitutions  and  public  worfliip,  and  the  regu- 
lar difpenfation  of  the  word,  as  relating  both  to  the  prefent  and  fu- 
t«re  life. — To  work  fincere  regret  for  the  precious  privileges 
which  they  had  lofl  by  their  removal,  and  an  ardent  defire  to  regain 
them. 


The  Societi/  for  propagating  the  Gospel  among  the 
Indians  and  others :  instituted  at  Bosto??., 

HAVE  eftablifhed  a  fund  for  the  regular  and  conftant 
progrefling  in  the  one  common  caufe.  The  income  of  a  part  of 
their  funds,  is  appropriated  to  ameliorate  the  civil,  moral,  and  re- 
ligious condition  of  the  Indians.  They  aflift  in  the  fupport  of 
three  Miffionaries,  and  a  number  of  fmall  fchools  for  the  benefit 
of  thofe  deftitute  people,  and  as  many  more  among  the  poor 
inhabitants,  principally  of  Maine  and  the  Ifle  of  Shoals. — They 
have  alfo  alTifted  in  building  School-Houfes,  and  a  houfe  for  a 
Minifter,  and  have  defrayed  the  expence  of  printing  a  catechifm 
in  the  Indian  language,  and  have  diflributed  a  number  of  religious 
Books  among  them. — The  Society  have  not  forgotten  their  own 
poor,  but  thofe  of  the  dillrift  of  Maine  have  experienced  their  li- 
berality, by  which  children  have  had  the  means  of  inflruftion,  and 
perfons  in  more  advanced  life,  have  had  the  ferious  imprefTions, 
early  made  upon  their  minds,  revived  and  flrengthened,  which  they 
would  otherwife  have  been  in  great  danger  of  lofing,  in  places 
•where  they  cannot  enjoy  the  advantage  of  attending  upon  the  ordt- 


8 


nances  of  the  gofpel. — They  further  report,  that  the  people  have 
attended  upon  their  miniftrations,  with  great  readinefs  and  apparent 
fatisfaftion.  They  have  adminiftered  the  ordinance  of  the  Lord's 
Supper,  and  baptized  great  numbers  of  children  and  many  adults. — 
In  feveral  places  they  have  gathered  Churches,  and  in  more,  have 
eftabiiflied  habits  of  regard  to  the  duties  and  offices  of  religion, 
which  were  before  formed — Their  difcourfes  and  their  converfation, 
have  tended  to  check  the  progrefs  of  error  and  vice,  and  to  confirm 
the  wavering. — Full  and  grateful  teftimonials  have  been  received 
from  many  places  on  thefe  fubjefts,  and  earnefl:  requefts  that  the 
Society  would  continue  attentions  of  this  kind. 


The  Massachusetts  Missionaiy  Societi/. 

HAVE  alfo  greatly  exerted  themfelvcs  in  the  caufe  of  their 
Lord  and  Mafler. — They  have  given  the  public  an  account  of  an 
awakening  at  Holies.  The  number  of  particular  cafes,  mentioned 
by  their  correfpondent,  fhows  that  the  plentiful  fhowers  of  divine 
grace  have  reached  them  alfo.  He  concludes  the  recital  of  par- 
ticulars in  the  following  words;  "  To  the  above  I  might  add 
one  hundred  relations,  which  I  now  have  on  hand,  in  which 
tlie  diftinguilhing  grace  of  God  is  as  clearly  difplayed,  as  in 
any  of  thofe  particularly  related."  They  were  not  felecfted  be- 
caufe  they  are  more  noticeable  than  others ;  but  becaufe  they 
are  of  the  firlT;  chara<5lers  in  the  town. — So  that  it  may  not  be 
faid,  that  none  but  ignorant,  fuperftitious  people  are  the  apparent 
fubjedts  of  fpecial  grace.  Two  of  the  perfons  whcfe  cafes  have 
been  mentioned,  have  received  a  public  education,  and  feveral 
others  are  of  the  moft  diftinguifhed  abilities,  and  the  moil:  in- 
fluential among  us." 

By  a  report  of  one  of  their  MiiTionaries,  dated  Nov.  1803,  it 
appears,  that  in  the  Society  of  New-Canaan  there  has  been  ex- 
perienced a  confiderable  degree  of  the  fpecial  inlluence  of  divine 
grace.  The  inftances  of  converts  from  fin  to  holinefs,  were  very 
numerous — "  Fifty-four  have  been  added  to  our  Church;  of 
thefe,  thirty  were  young,  unmarried  people.  Some  families  ap- 
pear to  be  almoft  wholly  taken,  and  others  altogether  left.  In 
fome  cafes,  only  one  inclivid.t  il  was  taken  from  a  neighbour- 
Ijood.  One  family  in  which  there  were  three  young  men,  was  re- 
markably vifited;  at  firft  the  mind  of  one  ot  the  young  men  was  ar- 
rt;iled,  v/hich  appeared  to  diireminate  through  the  family,  till  each 
of  the  three,  and  both  the  parents,  were  hopeful  fubje*!ls  of  regene- 
rating grace.  In  another  family,  there  are  five  young  people,  four 
fillers  and  a  brother,  all  of  whom  have  hopefully  become  pious." 


i) 

A  letter  from  a  rcfpedable  charader  in  Aufliinburgh  dated  29th 
Nov.  1803,  alfo  confirms  the  pleafing  intelligence  that  the  divine 
goodnefs  and  mercy  are  vifiting  them  alfo.  After  the  writer  had  at- 
tended a  facramental  occafion,  with  threeof  his  children  and  eight  or 
ten  others,  at  about  fixty  miles  diilance,  and  returned  home,  the  com- 
pany feemed  defirous  that  there  might  be  an  evening  meeting.  "  And 
notwithstanding  the  ftiortnefs  of  the  notice,  God  fo  ftirred  up  the 
liearts  of  the  people,  that  more  than  fixty  attended  and  were  much 
imprefled. — The  night  was  fpent  in  prayer. — None  went  from  the 
place  — A  folemn  night!  Some  loit  their  bodily  ftrength.  The 
next  fabbath  Mr.  B.  preached  for  us. — The  people  were  all  very 
folemn — As  the  afl'embly  was  difmifled  and  began  to  go  out,  be- 
hold, three  young  men,  each  about  fixteen  years  of  age,  were  fallen 
down  together  near  the  door.  They  were  in  fuch  agony  of  mind, 
that  every  beholder  was  ftruck  with  aftonifhment.  Mr.  B.  imme- 
diately went  to  prayer,  in  a  manner  peculiarly  adapted  to  the  occa- 
fion.— Few  could  refrain  from  weeping. — A  number  of  young  men 
who  had  begun  to  boaft  of  infidel  principles,  were  ftruck,  and  one 
perfon  fell.  Three  little  girls  walking  from  the  place  of  meeting 
with  locked  arms,  fell  on  the  ground  and  loft  their  bodily  ftrength; 
one  of  whom  did  not  recover  till  after  midnight;  which  night  was 
fpent  in  prayer.  At  times,  the  number  of  eight  loft  their  bodily 
ftrength.  But  little  was  heard  from  them  but  deep  fighs. — At  a 
meeting  of  our  youth  laft  evening,  I  am  informed  that  thirteen  were 
imprefled  in  this  extraordinary  manner,  which  are  more  than  ever 
happened  at  one  time  before. — Thefe  marks  of  power  are  not  limit- 
ed to  awakened  finners  — Many  chriftians,  where  the  work  has  pre- 
vailed, have  alfo  been  thus  affected  under  a  fenfe  of  divine  truth." — 

By  late  accounts  from  new  Conne(5ticut  it  appears,  that  there  is  a 
very  general  revival  there:  that  it  has  extended  to  moft  of  the  fet- 
tlements,  and  its  elTecfts  are  fimilar  to  thofe  of  the  revival  in  Ken- 
tucky and  other  Southern  States.  The  harveft  there  is  truly  great, 
and  the  labourers  few — It  is  hoped  therefore,  that  the  pious  people 
will  pray  earneftly  to  God  to  raife  up  and  qualify  fuitablc  labourers 
for  that  extenfive  field,  and  that  they  will  cheerfully  contribute  of 
their  earthly  fubftance  to  enable  the  Truftees  to  fupport  a  compe- 
tent number  of  MifTionaries  there,  and  in  other  places,  where  they 
are  wanted. 


The  Berkshire  Missionary  Society 

HAVE  alfo  been  very  adlive:  they  have  had  three  mifliona- 
ries  among  the  new  fettlements  40  weeks  in  the  whole. — In  which 
time  they  travelled  near  three  thoufand  miles,  preached  two  hundred 


l'«5 

itid  feventy-fc^cn  fcrmims,  attended  53  religious  conferences,  bap-- 
tized  43  perfons,  and  vifited  186  families  &c.  &c.  The  Miflionaries 
bring  back  accounts  of  their  reception  and  encouragement  in  their 
tvork,  which  muft  be  animating  to  all  who  love  the  profperity  of 
Zion.  They  uniformly  teftify,  that  the  people  are  generally  dif- 
[X)fed  to  attend  upon  the  preached  word ;  and  in  many  inftanccs, 
through  the  infinite  mercy  of  a  fovereign  God,  their  hearts  art 
opened  to  receive  in  the  love  of  it,  the  truth  as  it  is  in  Jefus. 


Tfic  Connecticut  Missionary  Socicli/ 

HAVE  had  reafon  to  blefs  God  for  their  fuccefs  during  the 
part  year.  They  have  had  thirteen  Miffionaries  in  the  field  of 
labor;  fonie  through  the  year;  others  for  a  fhorter  time.  The  golpef 
has  been  thus  preached  over  a  vaft  extent  of  Country.  The  gofpel 
ordinances  have  been  adminiftered  to  fuch  as  would  otherwife  have 
been  deftitute  of  them.  Some  have  &en  awakened  out  of  fecurity, 
and  feveral  new  churches  have  been  formed  in  the  wildernefs.  Some 
they  have  reafon  to  hope  have  been  turned  from  fin  unto  God;  and 
the  hearts  of  many  chriftians  have  beeil  made  to  rejoice. 

"  There  is  great  reafon  to  believe,  that  although  the  efforts  which 
have  been  made,  have  not  borne  down  every  obftacle,  yet  that  feeds 
have  been  difleminated,  which  will  gradually  fpring  up,  and  for  years 
to  come,  will  augment  the  harvcft  of  fouls,"  A  letter  froirl  a  Mifli- 
onary  in  Vermont  fays,  "rcfpedling  the  ftate  of  Zion  in  this  Country 
in  general,  I  have  good  news  to  write.  There  has  been  much  re- 
ligious attention  in  the  country  within  a  year,  and  is  much  now  in 
many  places.  You  doubtlefs  have  heard  of  the  glorious  revivals  in 
Pittsford,  Rutland  and  Bennington;  the  attention  began  in  thofe 
towns,  and  has  been  very  great.  Since,  it  has  been  great  in  Dorfet, 
and  of  late,  very  great  in  Benfon,  probably  more  powerful  than  in 
any  part  of  our  land.  It  feerried  to  overpower  the  town  at  once, 
and  a  number  of  bold  enemies  have  been  cut  down,  and  bowed  to 
almighty  grace.  I  have  feen  many  glorious  awakenings,  but  hare 
rtever  feen  a  more  povvcrful  work,  than  in  fome  towns  in  this  State. 
It  has  extended  to  the  following  towns,  Hubberton,  Caftleton,  Or- 
wcl,  Shoreham,  Weybridge,  Bridford,  Addifon,  Hynefburgh, 
Sudbury,  Brandon,  Duxbury,  and  Jericho,  and  I  have  heard  of 
late,  that  there  is  fome  attention  in  Tinmouth,  Rupert,  and  Sand- 
gate.  A  holy  fprinkling  appears  in  all  thefe  places,  and  in  fome  of 
tliem,  fliowers.  It  is  therefore  a  time  of  the  moft  gracious  vifitatio» 
among  us.     Oh !  that  we  had  a  heart  to  give  God  the  glory  !" 


Another  Gentleman  writes  to  his  father  thus,  concerning  the  awa- 
kening in  thefe  towns,  "My  lafl:  informed  you  of  the  good  work  ir. 
Pittsford,  AVcd  Rutland,  and  fome  other  places,  and  the  hopeful  prof- 
peL*t  here  (Hubberton  )  At  Pittsford,  the  number  hopefully  born 
into  the  kingdom  of  grace  is  200  and  upwards.  At  Weft  Rutland, 
100  or  more.  About  one  month  fince,  there  was  the  found  of  abun- 
dance of  rain  in  Benfon,  which  ftiil  continues  to  pour  down,  and  it  is 
emphatically  a  time  of  refrefhing  from  the  prcfence  of  the  Lord. 
'Converts  fpring  up  from  every  quarter.  The  wildernefs  and  folitary 
places  are  glad  for  them ;  and  this  northern  defert  is  made  to  bloC- 
fom  as  the  Rofe.  Saints  feed  on  hidden  manna,  and  join  in  the  joy 
of  angels.  I  have  heard  fome  grey  headed  Chriftians,  exclaim  in 
cxtacy,  "Zwv/  tioiv  let  thy  fewant  depart  in  peace,  for  mine  eyes 
have  feen  thy  fahation."  The  good  Lord,  is  now  by  his'fpirit,  in 
this  finful  town.  A  greater  fhaking,  I  never  faw  among  dry 
bones.  O!  pray  for  the  enlargement  and  peace  of  Zion.  May 
her  borders  be  as  extenfive  as  the  globe — her  children,  numerous  as 
-the  human  family,  her  peace  as  a  river,  and  her  righteoufncfs  as 
the  waters  of  the  Sea." 

A  perfon  of  intelligence,  who  lately  came  from  Benfon  fays, 
•there  does  not  appear  to  be  a  carelefs  perfon  in  the  town.  It  is  faid 
■**■  that  laft  fpring  the  people  had  a  town  meeting, and  appointed  a  com- 
mittee to  defire  their  minifter  to  leave  the  town.  Very  foon  after 
this,  the  Lord's  hand  was  vifible  amongft  them.  At  Caftleton  there 
is  a  promifing  beginning.  Numbers  are  under  deep  impreffions, 
and  fome  have  obtained  hopes." — A  private  letter  from  Dorfet  fays, 
"  It  is  now  about  eighteen  months  fince  there  £rft  appeared  an  un- 
ufual  attention  to  things  of  religion.  But  nothing  very  extraordi- 
nary took  place  till  lalt  fpring,  when  a  folemnity  awftd  as  judgment, 
feized  the  minds  of  almoft  all '  cla/Tes  of  people  in  the  fociety.— 7 
Since  that  time,  we  have  witnefled  a  fccne  truly  aftonifhing  and  glo- 
rious! The  mighty  Redeemer  has  rode  forth  conquering  and  to 
conquer.  Almighty  power  and  grace  have  been  glorioufly  trium- 
phant.— Such  a  day  I  have  never  before  witnefled.  The  friends  of 
Jefus  have  been  all  life  and  engagedncfs. 

Their  hcartsand  their  mouths  have  been  full.  To  them  indeed 
it  has  been  a  remarkably  refrefhuig  time.  The  work  has  been  dif- 
tinguifhingly  ftill  and  regular., — Nothing  that  an  enemy  could  calj 
enthufiaftic  has -appeared.  Perfons  of  almoft  every  age  have  been 
the  fubjeds  of  the  work  ;  but  the  principal  harveft  has  been  among 
the  youths.  In  one  family,  fix  young  perfons  have  been  hopefully 
fnatched  from  the  power  of  Satan,  and  united  to  Chrift. — Forty- 
three  have  been  added  to  our  communion.  Twenty-fix  are  pro- 
pounded ;  and  there  r^re  not  lefsthan  fixty,  who  have  manifeftcd  hope?» 
but  have  not  come  forward. — There  is  a  marvellous  work  at  Bea- 


12 

fon  forty  miles  north  of  this ;  and  in  feveral  towns  in  that  vicinity. 
Alfo  in  Sandgate,  and  fome  hopeful  beginnings  in  Rupert,  Manches- 
ter, Wenhall  &c.  Thefe  things  will  no  doubt  gladden  your  heart. — 
We  much  need  your  prayers  that  God  would  not  take  from  us 
his  holy  Spirit. 

Another  v/ho  attended  a  facramental  meeting,  writes  from  New 
Conneflicut  December  1803.  "  The  facramental  occafion  was 
the  moft  folemn  fcene  I  ever  witnefTed.  I  fhall  not  attempt  the  de- 
fcription.  But  could  you  Sir,  be  prefent  at  fuch  a  fcene  as  I  there 
faw,  however  much  you  have  heard,  I  doubt  not  you  would  have 
fuch  feelings  and  impreflions  as  you  never  had  before.  The  folem- 
rity,  the  imprefhons,  the  evidence  of  the  divine  prefence  were  fuch, 
as  are  not  to  be  told.  I  never  conceived  any  thing  which  appeared  fo 
much,  as  fome  parts  of  the  folemnities,  like  the  judgment  day. 
The  number  of  communicants  was  about  300.  The  evening  meeting 
was  peculiarly  folemn  :  a  great  deal  of  that  kind  of  falling,  which 
has  been  common  in  the  revival  in  this  country. 

The  meeting  continued  till  4  o'clock  in  the  morning.  You  once 
obferved  to  me,  that  you  wiflicd  to  have  an  account  of  the  work  in 
the  weficrn  country,  from  one  who  had  been  an  eye  witnefs,  and 
who  was  acquainted  with  Connedlcut  ideas,  modes  of  thinking 
and  expreffions. — This  you  have  had  in  a  letter  from  Mr.  B.  But 
from  that,  and  all  which  I  had  heard,  I  had  got  a  very  inadequate 
conception. — Accounts  of  things  at  fuch  a  diftance  commonly  are 
general;  but  it  is  from  particulars  that  we  ufually  obtain  accurate 
ideas. — I  have  not  much  knowledge  of  the  prefent  ftate  of  this 
work,  except  in  Pennfylvania. — Of  all  the  Congregations  under 
the  care  of  the  Synod  of  Pittfourgh,  amounting  to  80  or  90,  there 
are  not  more  than  ij  or  6,  which  have  not  been  vifited  with  divine 
grace. — I  conceive  this  work  in  many  refpefts  to  refem.ble  the  great 
revival  of  religion  in  New  England  in  1740  and  1742. — In  extent 
of  territory  it  exceeds  that.— In  moll  or  all  of  the  Societies  which 
are  viiited,  I  trufl:  there  is  a  good  number  delivered  from  the  reign 
of  fin,  who  will  adore  the  riches  of  lovereign  grace  forever.  The 
minifters  appear  to  condu6t  with  great  moderation  and  propriety. 
People  at  a  diftance  may  fay  what  they  will,  but  when  they  come  to 
be  eye  witnefies,  every  reafonable  man  is  effedlually  reftrained  from 
declaring  it  to  be  any  thing,  but  the  mighty  power  of  God.  Ft  is 
proper  to  remark,  that  this  work  is  in  many  refpefls  myfterious  and 
extraordinary.  And  after  the  moft  careful  obfervation,  long  ex- 
perience and  enquiry,  there  are  fome  things  which  cannot  be  un- 
derftood. 

Is  this  an  evidence  that  it  is  not  the  work  of  God  ?  It  is,  if  the 
creation  of  matter  from  nothing,  which  is  a  myftery,  be  an  evi- 
dence that  God  did  not  make  the  world.  But  there  are  things  to  be 


13 

feen  which  cannot  be  defcribed.  After  all  that  could  be  told  or 
■written,  your  conceptions  would  be  far  fhort  of  the  reality;  or  of 
what  they  would  be,  if  you  could  be  an  eye  witnefs.  With  regard 
to  the  numbers  who  fall,  my  ideas  are  very  incorrcift.  By  far  the 
greater  part  of  thofe  who  are  fubjcds  of  this  work,  fall.  Of  thofe 
who  have  been  made  the  fubjecls  of  grace,  or  who  have  had  real 
genuine  convidion,  fo  far  as  J  have  leen,  at  leaf!  two  thirds  or  three 
quarters  fall.  But  there  are  many,  who  are  evidently  made  rubjects 
of  the  work  of  the  fpirit,  and  have  deep  and  powerful  convictions, 
who  do  not  fall,  and  are  not  at  all  afTcded  that  way.  They  gene- 
rally, firft  fall  under  aconvidion  of  fin.  And  they  fometimes  ob- 
tain comfort  the  fir(l:  time  they  fall,  but  not  generally.  1  have  ne- 
ver heard  of  any  falling  once  only.  It  is  commonly  repeated  many 
times.  If  they  obtain  a  hope,  and  give  good  evidence  of  a  recon- 
ciliation to  God,  they  dill  continue  to  fall.  Good  people  fall  in 
many  inftances.  Several  minifters  have,  who  appear  to  be  men  of 
piety.  Many  people  who  have  been  profefibrs  of  religion  for  years 
and  who  have  given  good  evidence  of  a  chriftian  life  and  charader, 
have  fallen.  Elders  of  the  Churches,  ferious  men,  have  fallen, 
and  in  fome  inftances  in  the  exercife  of  public  prayer. 

Perfons  fall  on  all  occafions,  at  public  worfhip  and  at  their  So- 
cieties. Frequently  at  family  prayer,  fometimes  alone,  fometimes 
in  merry  company,  being  fuddenly  ftruck  by  the  truth.  Sometimes 
they  fall  when  they  are  in  their  ordinary  biifinefs. — Perhaps  if  private 
religious  meetings  in  Conneflicut  were  conduced  there,  as  they  are 
in  this  part  of  the  country,  and  lefs  for  fpeculation,  they  would 
find  more  evidence  of  the  divine  prefence.  In  the  places  where 
the  work  is,  there  is  fcarcely  a  time  of  public  worfliip  without  fome 
perfons  falling. — I  ufe  the  word  fa/I  indifcriminately. — I  know  of 
no  other  word  fo  proper.  But  the  degrees  of  bodily  affeftion  are 
indefinitely  various. — From  the  leaft  nervous  agitation,  every  grade 
to  the  moft  violent  3'^ou  can  ccr.ceive;  or  to  a  death-like  weaknefs 
and  ina(5tion.  Some  can  fit  who  cannot  ftand. — Some  muft.be 
held  as  much  as  infants;  fome  as  much  as  perfons  in  high  convul- 
fions. — The  duration  of  the  afFedion  is  very  dlvcrfe.  In  fome  ca- 
fes it  is  but  a  few  minutes.  In  others  an  hour  or  two;  and  fome- 
times twenty-four  hours,  or  fcvera!  days.  Though  they  continue  this 
time  without  fuftenancc,  they  feel  no  inconvenience  afterwards; 
and  on  their  recovery  are  able  to  attend  to  any  bufinefs. — In  their 
affedions,  though  they  ap]iear  to  a  beholder  to  be  in  the  grcateft  bodi- 
ly dlftrefs,  they  are  not  fenfible  of  any  pain,  or  any  other  than  niental 
diftrcfs.  There  is  very  rarely  an  inftance  of  any  one  being  fenfible,  at 
the  time  or  afterwards  of  any  injury  from  the  fall,  however  fevere. 
And  when  they  are  fo  agitated,  that  two  or  three  pci  foil  s  have  to  make 
the  greateft  exertions  to  hold  one,  and  of  courfe  are  held  by  violence. 


14 


they  feci  no  foreneTs  or  inconvenience  whatever  aftervvards.  The 
Philofopher  and  cold  profeffor  may  fay  what  tliey  will,  thefe  things 
are  fafls.  And  thefe  are  fome  of  the  fa(5ts,  which  render  this  work 
a  niyftery.  Perfons  of  all  ages  are  fubjedls  of  this  work.  Old, 
middle  aged,  youth  and  children.  Some  children  quite  young. 
Infidels,  Philofophers,  Phyficians,  many  remarkable  inftances  of 
iifelcfs  profefTors,  the  ftupid,  the  though tlefs,  and  the  gay.  The 
great  inquiry  in  New-England  is,  why  do  they  fall?  For  five 
weeks  that  I  was  in  that  quarter,  I  took  great  pains  to  enable  my- 
ielf  to  anfwer  this  enquiry.  Unrenewed Jinners ,  when  they  fall, 
generally  are  imprelTcd  merely  with  a  fenfe  of  their  fin  and  danger. 
A  fenfe  of  the  weight  of  fin,  the  wrath  of  God,  the  certainty  of 
his  vengeance,  and  the  pains  of  hell,  when  brought  feelingly  to  their 
'view,  come  upon  them  with  a  load  too  great  to  be  borne.  They 
ihrink  and  fink  under  its  weight.  Is  this  a  matter  of  furprife?  Is 
it  not  rather  to  be  wondered  at,  that  awakened  finners  can  ever 
"Tupport  themfelves?  Sometimes,  however,  they  are  (truck  down, 
as  with  a  ftroke  of  divine  power,  without  much  previous  reflec- 
tion.  Chrijl'ians,   when  they  are  led  to  a  feeling  fenfe  of  the 

goodnefs  and  mercy  of  God;  of  his  long  fuffering  patience;  of 
t'nclr  extreme  ingratitude;  their  great  abufe  of  privileges;  the  dan- 
ger of  their  being  deceived  in  their  hope;  the  folemn  account  v/hich 
they  mud  render  to  an  omnifcient  Judge;  and  their  juPc  expofure  to 
eternal  death  ;  they  find  themfelves  unable  to  fuftain  the  prefltire  of 
truth;  bur  muft  yield  to  its  weigiit.  Sometimes  a  view  of  the  glo- 
■lies  of  the  divine  charader;  the  wonders  of  fovercign  grace;  the 
riches  of  the  Saviour's  love;  and  the  glorious  work  of  man's  redemp- 
tion, opens  to  them  with  fuch  clearnefs,  that  they  can  no  more  bear 
it,  than  Mofes  could  a  fight  of  God's  g!cry.  Sometimes  a  confide- 
ration  of  t!ic  danger  of  finners,  tJicir  infinite  hardnefs  and  ftupidity, 
■and  the  certainty  of  their  being  brought  into  Judgment,  is  more 
than  their  natures  can  bear.  Sometimes  they  fall  inftantaneoufly. 
S^i'jvv^ever  thofe  who  fall  may  be  affected,  they  never  lofe  their  fen- 
tics.  Their  minds  appear  to  be  more  adive  than  ever,  and  all  their 
powers  feem  intent  upon  the  things  of  religion  and  the  interefts  of 
fternity.  They  are  never  in  fo  good  a  fituation  to  receive  inftruc- 
tioj).  Their  minds  are  fixed,  and  their  memories  uncommonly  re- 
tentive. Many  of  them  fpeak  in  broken  accents  and  half  exprefli- 
ons  in  their  affciflion,  begging  for  mercy,  deprecating  wrath,  groan- 
ing under  fin,  calling  upon  periflnng  finners,  or  giving  glory  to  God. 
The  impulfe  feems  to  be  irrefiftable. 

The  Minifters  uniformly  inculcate  the  idea,  that  there  is  no  re- 
ligion in  merely  falling  down.  Indeed  it  appears  to  be  nothing  more 
fir  lefs,  than  the  effet't  of  the  affedlions  of  the  mind.  Divine  Pro- 
vidence feems  to  have  fingularly  ordered  events  in  fuch  a  manner  as 


15 

to  confound  and  efTeiSually  to  difappolnt  all  attempts  •vvhich  have  been 
made  to  account  for  this  work  from  natural  caules.  Many  who  have 
made  the  attempt,  have  thcmfelves  fallen  and  become  fubjeds  of 
what  they  before  termed  a  delufion.  I  firmly  belie%'c  this  to  be  a  con- 
fpicuous  and  glorious  work  of  divine  grace ;  and  that  thoufands  of 
immortal  fouls,  the  fubjefts  of  it,  will  adore  the  riches  of  divinft 
mercy  to  eternity.  May  the  Lord  of  all  grace,  carry  on  his  work 
glorioufly  to  the  honor  of  his  great  name  and  the  enlargement  of 
Zion. 

The  truftces  of  the  Society,  "  unite  with  the  pious  of  all  deno- 
minations, in  devout  afcriptions  of  praife  to  the  God  of  all  mercies* 
and  fountain  of  divine  influences,  for  his  wonderful  operations  on 
the  hearts  of  chriftians,  in  the  various  parts  of  Chriftendom,  in 
difpofing  them,  in  a  manner  which  rarely,  if  ever,  was  exemplified 
in  any  age  of  the  world,  to  drive  together  for  the  falvation  of  their 
fellow  men." — The  miflionary  labors  appear  to  be  arduous,  but  ufe- 
ful,  fermons  are  preached  to  dellitute  congregations,  and  in  places 
where  no  religious  denominations  whatever  have  yet  been  formed. 

Conferences  are  attended,  many  perfons  young  and  old  baptized, 
and  communicants  received  into  the  church,  children  have  been 
catechifed  and  infl:ru<5ledy  families  vifited,  the  fick  comforted  and 
divifions  healed.  The  inhabitants  of  the  frontier  town?  have 
been  attentive  to  improve  every  opportunity  of  public  worfliip 
afforded  them,  and  treat  the  mifiionaries  with  hofpitality;  many 
exprefs  a  high  fenfe  of  gratitude  to  the  MifTionary  Society  and  the 
people  of  Conne(5ticut,  for  the  exertions  they  have  made  for  their 
future  well  being. — In  every  town  there  has  been  occafion  to  thank 
God  and  take  courage. 


T/ie  N'cw-Yor/i  Missionmy  Sock  ft/ 

HAVE  greatly  added  to  the  zeal  and  faithful  fervices  of  the 
fleady  labourers  in  the  Lord's  vineyard.  They  have  been  en- 
gaged in  forming  a  plan  for  the  introduflion  of  the  gofpel  among 
the  Chickafaw  Indians. — They  have  had  an  able  MifTionary  in 
that  nation,  he  arrived  there  fometime  in  the  year  1800. — His 
reception  was  very  cordial,  and  he  has  preached  to  confiderable 
numbers  of  white,  red,  and  black  people.  Decent  attention  and 
a  difpofition  to  become  acquainted  with  the  things  which  be- 
long to  their  peace  appeared  to   mark  thcfe  mixed  alTemblies 

•*  The  committee  fu]?pofed  much  had  been  gained  by  the  peace- 
ful admifiion  of  this  meffenger  of  grace,  by  fcattering  on  Pagan 
foil,  however  thinly,  the  feed  of  the  living  word;  and  by  exciting  the 
curiofity  and  conciliating  the  confidence  of  the  heathen." — As  in- 
cidental to  their  principal  objeft,  they  deemed  the  anxiety  of  the  Irj- 


16 


dhns  to  acquire  the  improvements  of  civilized  life,  worthy  of" 
attention,  and  ominous  of  good. — Several  of  the  women  frequented 
the  miffionary's  family  to  learn  from  the  females,  reading,  fewing, 
knitting,  fpmning,  and  other  domeftic  arts."  Yet  later  experience 
has  rendered  it  neceffary  to  difcontinue  the  million,  as  the  fuccefs 
has  not  been  equal  to  the  expenfe. 

However,  being  encouraged  by  their  firft  undertaking,  having 
been  thus  far  countenanced  by  the  Lord  of  the  harveft,  the  directors 
felt  it  their  duty  to  turn  their  eyes  to  fome  other  quarter,  which 
might  invite  a  new  miflion  :  an  event  v/hich  they  cannot  but  ac- 
count providential,  pointed  out  the  North-weftern  Indians,  efpe- 
cially  the  Tufcororas  and  Senecas,  as  the  mod  proper  objedls  ©f  their 
next  attempt.  Having  found  a  gentleman  in  every  refpedl  well 
fitted  for  the  fervice,  they  engaged  him  in  it.  *'  All  the  accounts 
which  have  been  received  from  him,  and  of  him,  are  Angularly 
gratifying,  his  reception  by  the  Indians  has  been  refpedful  and 
affe^ionate.  As  an  evidence  of  their  temper,  the  following  extra(ft 
from  a  letter,  from  a  principal  chief,  didated  by  himfeif  and  writ- 
ten by  his  fon  to  the  miOionary,  will  be  very  fatisfaftory. — "  Dear 
Brother,  I  am  glad  that  the  Lord  our  God  has  put  it  into  the  hearts 
of  the  Americans  to  fend  Miflionaries  amongft  the  Indians.  I  am 
likewlfe  very  thankful  that  the  affociation  at  New- York  thinks  of  U3 
yet,  in  this  town.  Dear  Brother  I  beg  of  you,  that  you  would  in- 
form the  Miflion  Society,  that  I  give  them  a  thoufand  thanks  that 
they  have  taken  up  fuch  honorable  work,  in  fending  a  miffionary 
among  my  poor  benighted  brethren  in  the  wildernefs. — As  they  now 
begin,  i  hope  they  will  keep  on  that  good  work. — I  fay  good  work? 
yes,  I  believe  it  is  honorable  and  commendable,  I  hope  and  pray 
that  their  endeavours  to  fpread  the  gofpel  of  Chrift  among  my  hea- 
then brethren  will  be  bleft,  therefore  Dear  Brother,  I  bid  you  God 
fpeed,  both  in  your  fpiritual  and  temporal  journey." 

The  Tufcororas  after  the  arrival  of  the  miffionary,  wrote  to  the 
directors  in  New-York;  an  ejitract  of  their  letter  follows. — "  Fa- 
thers and  Brothers — we  (houid  be  very  glad  to  have  our  Father 
Holmes  ( the  miffionary  )  to  live  among  us,  or  fome  other  good 
man  that  you  would  fend,  to  teach  us  the  meaning  of  the  beloved 
fpeech  in  the  good  book  called  the  Bible,  for  we  are  in  darknefs,  we 
are  very  ignorant,  we  are  poor,  now  Fathers  and  Brothers,  you 
have  much  light  you  are  wife  and  rich,  we  feel  much  forrow  for 
cur  children. — We  afk  you  Fathers  and  Brothers,  will  you  not 
pity  us  and  our  poor  children,  and  fend  a  fchool-mafter  to  teach 
our  children  to  read  and  write;  if  you  will,  we  will  rejoice,  we  will 
love  him,  and  we  will  do  all  we  can  to  make  him  happy,  we  are 
poor;  we  cannot  pay  him  in  money,  or  any  thing  elfe.  Fathers  and 
Brothers  hearken!  we  cry  to  you  from  the  vvildernefs,  our  hearts 


17 

ache  while  we  fp'^-.ik  to  your  ears,  if  any  Indians  fhould  not  open 
their  ears  but  go  in  the  way  of  the  evi!  fpirit,  we  pray  you  not  to  be 
difcoiiraoed. — Do  not  ftop,  think  poor  Indians  muli  die  as  well  as 
white  men,  we  pray  you  therefore  never  to  give  over  and  leave  poor 
Indium-,  but  follow  them  in  dark  times,  and  let  our  children  find 
you  to  be  their  fathers  and  friends  when  we  are  dead  and  no  more." 
We  and  our  forefathers  have  been  long  under  dark  clouds,  no 
friends  to  help  us  to  know  the  will  of  the  good  fjrirlt,  we  will  now 
believe  you  to  be  our  friends,  we  will  open  our  ears  to  any  good  man 
yo!i  may  fend  among  us,  we  will  ufe  him  kindly." 

From  8au'Ji  Carolina  your  committee  are  alfo  informed,  that  the 
work  of  divine  grace  is  prevailing  there,  by  a  letter  from  Beaufort, 
dated  the  z  i  ft.  O^^ober,  \  803.  The  v/riter  fays  "  I  cannot  conceal 
from  you  the  pleafing  intelligence  of  a  revival  of  religion  in  this 
place,  and  what  makes  it  more  remarkable  is,  that  moft  of  the  fub- 
jefls  ot  it  are  perfons  in  the  high^  clalTes  of  life,  and  many  of  them 
of  education  and  talents. 

Many  of  our  accomplifhed  young  ladies  have  given  fuch  proofs 
of  the  genuinenefs  of  their  change  of  heait,  that  they  are  admitted  to 
our  communion  table.  This  revival  is  unaccompanied  by  any  ex- 
travagance of  manner. — It  ftiewsitfelfby  a  rational  conviction  of  fin, 
alenfe  of  hardnefsof  heart,  an  entire  renunciation  of  felf,  either  as 
to  righieoufnefs  or  dependance,  and  a  willing  fubjedtion  to  Chrift 
Jefus  as  a  prophet,  prieft  and  king  :  hitherto  the  work  has  been  ac- 
companied with  correfpondent  fruits,  as  to  change  of  manner  and. 
dcfires  after  more  grace  and  fanifiification. — It  feems  however  at 
this  time  to  advance  flowly,  tlio'  I  think  furely.  It  is  the  more 
remarkable  in  this  place,  becaufe  for  a  number  of  years,  there  has 
been  a  great  negligence  and  coldnefs  in  religion,  and  mere  formali- 
ty at  bell:,  except  in  fome  few  cafes.  God  is  thus  working  a  great 
work  in  this  our  land. 

It  is  with  great  plcafjre  that  the  committee  can  turn  their  eyes  from 
their  own  country  and  behold  the  faithful  labours  of  others  in  the 
one  common  caufe.  In  Great  Britain  chriftians  are  not  idle,  they 
are  daily  (landing  between  the  porch  and  the  altar,  crying  Lord  fave 
thy  people.  In  every  part  of  that  rich  and  populous  ifland,  are 
MilTionary  Societies,  as  well  as  various  other  religious  and  charitable 
inditutions  daily  arifing.  Prayer  meetings  are  held,  congregations  are 
gathered — churches  built,  and  multitudes  eager  to  embrace  the  gof- 
pel.  Their  periodical  religious  publications  give  many  accounts  of 
the  prevalence  of  a  true  fpirit  of  piety  and  unanimity  among  all 
denominations  of  protefhiHts  in  advancing  their  common  faith.— 
The  labors  of  the  society  in  Scotland  have  been  of  late  mucli 
bleflcd  in  the  North  of  Ireland,  Shetland,  Orkney,  and  the  western 
Jilandsj  and  in  many  places  where  the  uncorrumed  £ofpeI  has  not 

C 


13 

been  heard  for  m;iny  years,  the  people  in  general  received  the  vifit* 
of  the  itinerating  minifters  with  thankfulnefs,  and  eagerly  folicited 
a  renewal  of  them.  There  has  been  a  confiderable  work  in  Dunk- 
field,  where  it  is  hoped  that  145  perfons  have  experienced  the 
power  of  divine  grace.  At  Aberfeldie  57  perfons  profefs  to  have 
experienced  the  fume.  In  the  dlftridt  of  Kentyre,  v/hich  is  repre- 
fented  as  having  been  in  a  deplorable  fituation,  the  labours  of  the 
nuflionary,  though  much  oppofed;  have  been  greatly  owned.  In 
Garadil  upwards  of  50  have  given  fatisfying  evidence  of  their  con- 
verfion  to  God.  Public  dances  are  generally  given  up,  and  public 
houfes  alnioft  forfaken.  Here  fome  of  the  profeffors  were  feverely 
tried,  being  required  to  leave  their  farms,  or  renounce  their  new 
connedion — they  readily  gave  up  their  farms,  rather  than  their  paf- 
tor,  and  Providence  foon  appeared  in  their  behalf:  near  100  per- 
fons became  members  of  the  church.  In  Dumbartonlhire,  the 
miniiler  who  fpeaks  Gselic,  has  been  heard  with  great  attention  and 
apparent  advantage  by  crowds  of  people.  The  report  from  which 
this  account  is  taken  addreffes  their  members,  "  Brethren  the  pre- 
fect times  are  favourable  to  Chriftian  exertions  beyond  any  former 
period.  Civilization  and  Commerce  have  opened,  enlightened  and 
connefted  the  world  In  a  very  remarkable  manner.  "  Say  ye  not 
that  there  are  yet  four  months,  and  then  cometh  harvelt  ?  Behold 
I  fay  unto  you,  lift  up  your  eyes,  and  look  on  the  fields  for  they 
are  white  already  to  harveft !"  Nov/  there  is  an  opportunity  of  reap- 
ing a  fpiritual  harvell ;  and  he  that  reapeth,  receiveth  wages  and  ga- 
thereth  fruit  unto  eternal  life.  "  What  aftonilliing  motives  do  the 
Scriptures  of  truth  every  v/here  exhibit  to  lead  us  to  humble  confi- 
dence, to  holy  diligence  and  unremitted  adwity,  in  the  work  of 
the  Lord." 

By  the  printed  account  of  the  CorrefponJing  Board  in  London^ 
connedted  with  the  Society  for  propagating  chriftian  knowledge  in 
the  Highlands  in  Scotland  it  appears  that  they  have  nearly  fixteer» 
thoufand  children  under  inflrudion;  and  that  they  are  engaged  in 
publilhlng  an  edition  of  looco  copies  of  the  old  Teftament  in 
GaeHc. 


The  London  Missio?ia?y  Societi/ 

WAS  formed  in  1795,  by  a  number  of  Minifters  of  all  de- 
nominations, who  at  their  firit  meeting  fubfcribed,  themfelves, 
_;^'750  Sterling  as  donations,  and ^^'50  per  annum.  The  fole  ob- 
jedt  of  this  inftitution  was  "  to  il^read  the  knowledge  of  Chrifl: 
among  the  heathen,  and  other  unenlightened  nations."  After 
holding  a  conference,  at  which  a  very  great  number  of  both  Clergy 


19 

and  Laity  attended,  they  obferve,  "  thus  concluded  the  folema 
fcrvices  of  the  conference,  long,  very  long  to  be  remembered  by 
thoufands;  all  appearing  to  unite  in  this  fentiment,  it  luas  never  fo 
feen  in  our  Ifrae/.'' — Some  of  the  miniflers  finding  fo  large  an 
AfTembly  pafs  a  refolution  with  cheerful  unanimity,  /hat  a  Mis- 
sionary Society  tvas  desirable,  could  not  for  a  time  proceed,  for 
tears  of  joy. —  The  grandeft  objedl  that  ever  occupied  the  human 
mind,  the  falvation  of  fouls,  was  prefented  in  fuch  a  variety  of  views, 
.and  in  fo  ftriking  a  manner,  by  the  preachers,  that  every  ferious  per- 
-fon  awoke  as  from  a  dream,  filled  with  furprife  that  lo  noble  a  de- 
(ign  had  never  before  been  attempted  by  them,  and  longing,  by  fu- 
-ture  exertions,  to  redeem  loll:  opportunities  — Many  Minifters,  who 
before  doubted  v/hether  the  Lord's  time  for  fuch  an  attempt  were 
come,  are  now  completely  fatisfied,  and  join  with  equal  ardor  in  a 
caufe,  fo  glorious-  The  great  numbers  who  attended  as  delegates 
from  various  parts  of  the  Kingdom  ;  the  multitudes  who  thronged 
the  largeft  places  of  worlhip  in  London;  the  countenance  and  libe- 
ral donations  of  the  wealthy;  the  appearance  of  fo  many  Minifters 
in  one  place,  and  in  fo  confpicuousafituation;  were  grand  and  plea- 
ling;  the  fuitablenefs  of  the  Hymns,  and  the  fervor  with  which 
they  were  fung;  and  above  all  the  moft  evident  and  uncommon  out 
pouring  of  the  fpirit  on  the  Minifters  in  their  fermons  and  prayers, 
impreffed  the  whole  congregation,  with  a  folemnity  and  pleafure 
jiot  ufiial  even  in  religious  aflemblies,  and  conftrained  them  all  to 
fay.  This  is  a  new  Pentecojl ;  nor  was  it  a  doubt  with  any,  whether 
the  Lord  was  among  them  or  not. 

Another  confideration,  that  rendered  thefe  feafons  unlj^eakably 
delightful,  was  a  vifible  union  of  minifters  and  chriftians  of  all  de- 
nominations; who  for  the  firlt  time  forgetting  their  party  prejudices 
and  partialities,  aflembled  in  the  fame  place;  fung  the  fame  hymns; 
united  in  the  fame  prayers,  and  felt  themfelves  one  in  Chrift. — Such 
a  fcene  was,  perhaps,  never  before  beheld  in  our  world,  and  afford- 
ed a  glorious  earneft  of  that  nobler  aflembly,  where  we  fliall  meet 
all  the  redeemed,  and  in  the  prefence,  and  before  the^  throne  of  the 
Lamb,  fhall  fing  as  in  the  beft  hymn  of  the  fervice  ;  crown  him, 
crown  him,  crown  him  Lord  of  all! 

Thus  commenced  this  important  fociety,  and  their  fruits  have 
jDcen  in  fome  meafure  agreeable  to  fo  fair  a  beginning. — They  have 
fince  been  deeply  imprefted  with  the  affecfting  obfervations  of  the 
converted  among  the  heathen,  upon  their  attempts  to  carry  the  gof- 
pel  among  them.  A  Hottentot  woman  who  had  been  effeiftually 
called  to  the  falvation  of  Jefus,  obfevved  to  the  Milfionary  "  that  it 
was  a  great  pity  and  a  great  Cn,  that  they  who  fo  long  enjoyed  great 
plenty  of  the  bread  of  life,  did  not  give  one  crumb  to  the  poor  hea- 
then ;  but  that  God  was  very  good,  who  had  forgiven  tliis  great  iin< 


20 


and  had  blefTed  the  little  bit  they  had  lately  given,  fo  much;  and 
notv  ilie  hoped  that  chriftians  would  fin  no  longer  againfl:  God,  in 
withholding  the  bread  of  life,  but  would  abound  in  giving  it  more  and 
more."  The  Society  therefore  confidered  themfelves  as  they  did 
every  chrilHan,  called  upon  to  aft  their  part ;  and  that  they  could  not 
witi^out  criminality,  withhold  their  exertions  towards  procuring  obe- 
dience to  the  command  of  Chrift,  who  fays  "go  ye  into  all  the 
world  and  preacli  the  gofpc!  to  every  creature."  In  i  799  they  ob- 
tained the  aid  of  three  MilTionarics — who  arrived  at  the  Cape  of  Good 
Hope,  juft  as  a  dep\itation  ot  three  bofchemen,  the  moll  favage  and  fe- 
rocious of  the  heathen  of  that  country,  arrived,  earneftly  requeuing 
that  fome  goud  men  migl)t  be  fent  to  inftruft  them.  The  Miffion- 
ary  confidered  this  as  a  call  of  God  to  vifit  the  poor  Hottentots, 
and,  furpriiing  to  tell,  tv/c  of  them  travelled  5".o  Miles  North  Eaft 
of  the  Cape  into  the  wildernefs,  to  Zaak  river,  paffing  mountnins  that 
appeared  almoft  inacceflible,  and  being  fometimes  7  days  without  fee- 
ing a  human  face  but  their  own  company,  and  expofed  to  Lions 
and  Tigers  which  infeil:  the  woods  of  that  country,  from  whofe  de- 
vouring Jaws  they  were  feveral  times  mofl:  providentially  preferved. 
Suffice  it  to  fav,  that  they  were  received  by  thefe  v/retched  heathen 
v/ith  joy.  They  found  them  living  among  the  rocks,  where  they  dig 
a  fmall  round  den,  about  3  feet  deep,  which  they  cover  with  reeds. 
Here  they  fleep  away  their  time  till  roufed  by  hunger,  when  they 
fally  forth  to  hunt  wild  beafts,  and  when  unfuccefsful,  they  fubfift  oti 
fnakes,  mice  and  wild  onions.  The  Miffion^fry,  at  firi'l,  was  obliged 
to  tc.  ptthe  people,  at  large,  to  attend  him  by  giving  them  tobacco 
which  they  are  very  fond  of.  He  began  by  preaching  fyftematicaily 
to  them,  but  he  found  it  in  vain.  He  then  followed  the  example 
of  the  Moravians,  finiply  preaching  the  love,  and  death  of  Jefus 
Chrid,  and  inviting  them  to  come  to  him  tha*-  they  might  have  life. 
His  labors  were  foon  blefTed.  His  firft  fruit  was  a  moft  notorious 
offender  This  man  was  convifted  of  fin,  convinced  of  his  loft 
ftate  and  found  mercy.  He  lived  but  6  months  after,  but  his 
experience  was  wonderful.  His  heart  Vi'as  wholly  taken  up  with 
the  love  of  Chrifi,  fo  that  he  could  fcarcely  bear  to  fpeak  of 
worldly  tilings,  and  he  died  rejoicing  in  the  Lord,  fiiying  to 
his  teacher,  "  I  die;  depending  on  the  blood  and  righteous- 
nefs  of  Chrifc:  I  go  to  heaven,  and  there  I  will  wait  for  you."  His 
fon  who  came  a  great  dillance  to  fee  his  dying  father,  was  alfo  con 
verted,  and  became  a  fchoolmafter.  The  Miflionary  foon  after  be- 
gan to  have  his  fpirits  much  elated  when  he  would  walk  in  the  fields, 
and  find,  fcattered  here  and  there  proffrate  on  the  ground,  feveral 
of  his  congregation;  and  fome  with  a  child  in  each  hand,  pouring 
out  their  fouls  to  God  in  the  mofl  lively  and  copious  drains. — When 
he  had  been  with  them  about  four  years,  he  vifited  his  friends  in 


Europe  ;  at  which  time,  "he  had  baptized  about  34.  adult  perfbns 
and  50  children.  He  had  a  ftated  congregation  of  about  600  per- 
fons,  in  a  great  mcafure  civilized  and  dwelling  together.  The  peo- 
ple are  univerlally  changed  and  liave  become,  literally  as  well  as  fpi- 
ritually.  new  creatures.  They  who  were  lb  filthy  that  a  civilized 
perfon  could  fcarcely  approach  them,  are  now  clean;  inftead  of  be- 
ing naked,  or  only  covered  with  a  dirty  flicepflcin,  they  are  now  de- 
cently cloathed;  and  thofe  who  knew  not  there  was  a  God,  are  be- 
come devout  worfhippers  of  God,  and  fervent  lovers  of  Jefus  Chrift; 
induftrious  and  obligin;?,  bringing  up  their  children  in  the  fear  of 
the  Lord." 

Three  of  this  congregation  went  to  London  with  the  Mifiionary, 
and  on  a  careful  examination,  gave  great  fatisfadion  to  the  fociety. 
They  fang  a  Hymn  before  a  large  congregation,  the  literal  tranflation 
of  which  in  prcfe  follows.  "  O  Zion's  king!  Thou  fon  of  God, 
exalted  on  the  father's  throne!  I  cad  myfelf  down  before  thee,  and 
pray  for  fpirit  and  for  life,  for  thy,  church  and  dear  bride,  living 
here  on  earrh,  at  a  diftance  from  her  divine  lover,  her  head,  het" 
comfort,  tlie  prince  of  life;  for  whom  {he  ever  and  forever  longs. 
Oh  !   that  I  now  might  find  thee. 

Mod  of  ail,  O  king  of  Zion!  I  implore  thee  for  fo  many  dead 
fouly!  Oh!  make  thy  people  to  fall  down  before  thee  by  thy  fpirit. 
By  thy  ])ower  draw  all  tfiofe  unto  thee,  for  whom  thou  didft  fay, 
"it  is  linifhed!"  make  the  deaf  ear  to  hear  the  voice  of  thy  power 
and  of  thy  glory,  that  it  may  be  faid  of  Zion  "  this  and  that  man 
was  born  there.'' 

Fountain  of  life !  almighty  God !  it  is  the  fjnrit's  influence  we  crave! 
Oh !  exert  the  power  of  thy  love  upon  the  hearts  of  many  men ! 
Bring  Tyrians,  Phililtines,  and  Moors  by  the  word  and  the  fpirit 
into  the  right  way,  and  let  hell  tremble  at  thy  work!  Refcue  by 
thy  divine  power  the  velfels  of  grace  from  fatan's  might,  and  bid  the 
dead  to  live!" 

It  is  eafier  to  conceive  than  to  defcribe  the  facred  pleafurc  which 
filled  the  minds  of  a  large  affembly  of  Chriftians,  when  they  thus 
beheld  "  Ethiopia  ftretching  forth  her  hands  to  God,"  and 
heard  fome  of  Afric's  tawny  race  finging  the  praifes  of  our  common 
Lord." 

The  following  is  an  extrai^  of  a  letter  from  a  Eofchcman  woman, 
to  the  MilTionary  in  London ;  "  moreover  I  take  the  liberty  of  telling 
you  that  the  Lord  converts  many  people  atRodezand  ;  which  proves 
the  greateft  comfort  and  fupport,  as  it  feems  here,  that  the  time  is  now- 
come  when  the  Lord  {hall  pour  out  his  blelling  over  the  whole  world 
and  draw  all  poor  finners  unto  himfelf." 

Through  the  in{lrumentality  of  the  London  Miffionary  Society 
niany  thoufands  of  the  heathen  in  Africa  are  now  liltening  to  the 


22 

ioyful  found  of  the  gofpel ;  and  more  than  a  few  who  were 
afar  off,  arc  brought  near  by  the  blood  of  Chrlft.  On  a  full  view  of 
vhat  this  Society  has  done,  it  appears,  that  they  have  fent  out 
about  100  preachers,  98  of  whom  have  received  education  for  the 
minillry,  by  whom  the  glad  tidings  of  falvation  are  announced  in 
many  places,  where  the  being  of  a  God  was  not  known,  or  even 
Jieard  of. 

Even  France  has  not  been  forgotten.  During  two  years  the  Lon- 
don Miflionary  Society  have  been  endeavouring  to  build  on  the  ru- 
ins of  the  papacy  there,  the  divine  edifice  of  pure  chridianity;  and 
as  the  molt  powerful  meaos  for  that  purpofe  within  their  reach  was 
the  circulation  of  t!ie  holy  fcriptures,  they  determined  to  confecrate 
a  part  of  their  funds  to  this  objed. — JR.efle(5ting  alfo  on  the  awful  ef- 
fefts  of  infidelity,  they  judged  it  might  be  of  great  ufe,  to  conned 
with  the  fcriptures,  a  vindication  of  their  divine  authority.  This  im- 
portant fcrvice  has  been  atchieved  in  the  moil:  fatisfaftory  manner 
by  one  of  their  highly  refpeded  members.  The  Society  went  far- 
ther, and  fent  a  deputation  to  France,  to  difperfe  thefe  books,  and 
to  know  the  real  fituation  of  that  numerous  i>eop!e.  The  impor- 
tance of  this  bufinefs  was  manifeft,  from  the  deputation  having  found 
it  difficult  to  procure  a  fingle  copy  of  the  French  Bible  in  Paris  ; 
and  they  wer-e  informed,  this  was  equally  the  cale  in  Italy,  Great 
effeds  throughout  France  are  likely  to  arife  from  having  a  protes- 
tant  miniftry  there.  At  Befancon  in  the  fouth,  and  at  Arras  in  the 
North,  where,  till  lately,  no  protellants  were  to  be  found,  applica- 
tions for  proteftant  miniflers  and  churches  have  been  made  and  figa- 
ed  by  12,000  perfons  at  the  former  place,  and  near  as  many  at  the 
latter.  And  although  many  churches  have  already  been  given  to 
theproteftants,  900  congregations  are  ftill  deftitute,  both  of  church- 
es and  pallors.      Even  in  Belgium,  the  fame  difpofition  appears. 

On  o|>ening  a  Protcftant  chapel  at  Abbey  Ardennis  in  Normandy, 
previous  to  the  publication  of  the  concordat  between  the  Pope  and 
Buonaparte,  a  very  refpedable  congregation  attended.  The  increafe 
fince,  has  exceeded  the  moll  fanguine  expectations.  And  no  fooner 
was  the  Concordat  publifhed,  than  the  chapel  was  fo  much  over 
crowded,  that  more  than  200  perfons  were  obliged  to  (land  dur- 
ing the  fervice,  the  feats  being  all  filled.  In  many  parts  of  the  re- 
public, and  particularly  in  the  fouth,  large  bodies  of  the  Inhabitants 
have  publicly  demanded  of  the  prefers  of  their  refpedive  depart- 
ruents,  to  be  provided  with  a  church  and  Proteilant  miniilers. 
Thefe  are  good  figns  of  the  times,  and  may  tend  to  oblige  all  de- 
nominations of  chrilHans  to  greater  purity  ofcondud,  and  more  at- 
tention CO  the  eflential  principles  of  tlie  gofpel.  Our  informant  adds, 
*'Grcat  and  marvellous  are  the  events  of  our  days.  A  believer  in  the 
prophecies  cannot  but  feel  himfelf  more  and  more  interefted  in  tlje 


great  fcenes,  which  are  evidently  introducing  that  new  era,  we  arc 
taught  to  expedt  fliall  immediately  commence — all  concur  in  afford- 
ing delightful  animation  to  the  mind,  that  with  an  eye  of  faith,  con- 
templates the  wifdoni  and  goodnefs  of  the  divine  being,  who  is  con- 
ducting the  univerfal  family  of  mankind  to  improvement  and  happi- 
nefs;  and  fitting  them  for  everlafting  glory  hereafter." 

"  There  is  nothing,  it  is  faid,  which  more  furprifes  a  (Irangcr  at 
the  prefent  moment  in  France,  than  the  rage  for  religious  publica- 
tions of  every  defcription.  The  prefs  literally  groans  with  books  of 
devotion.  The  Scepticifm  of  the  revolution  has  loit  its  charms, 
and  even  the  pcth  mailre  is  fighing  for  the  pleafure  of  devotion." 

The  report  above  mentioned  concludes  thus:  "  with  fincere  fatif- 
faflion,  they  recognize  the  zeal  and  fuccefs  of  other  Societies  aiming 
at  the  fame  ftupendous  objedt,  earneftly  uniting  their  common  fup- 
plications  with  the  chriftian  world  at  large,  that  the  blefllng  of  hea- 
ven may  attend  them  all.  They  chcrifh  the  hope  that  thefe  are  all 
effeifls  of  a  divine  impulfc  on  the  mind,  and  part  of  the  arrangements 
of  an  infinitely  wife  and  unerring  plan,  which  has  determined  the 
ultimate  renovation  of  the  world  after  a  long  feafon  of  darknefs,  de- 
pravity and  diforder,  and  is  now  introducing  the  dawn  of  that  glo- 
rious period  which  is  the  favourite  theme  of  prophecy  and  the  grand 
confolation  of  the  chriftian  church.  While  they  endeavour  to  pro- 
mote the  approach  of  this  defirable  feafon  by  every  means  in  their 
power,  we  chearfully  refer  the  event  to  him  who  has  referved  the 
times  and  the  feafons  in  his  own  hands;  who  prefides  over  the  vaft 
concerns  of  the  univerfe,  and  who  can  command  all  its  powers,  in- 
telledtual  or  material,  to  accomplilh  his  pleafure,  and  fulfil  his  word." 

Among  other  inftances  of  joyful  converfion  of  finners  to  God  in 
London,  the  Committee  muft  mention  that  of  Mr.  Frey,  a  Jev/,  now 
preparing  for  Miffionary  labours.  He  preached  a  fermon  to  the 
Jews,  on  1 8  May  1803,  at  Sion  chapel,  from  Gen.  xiii.  8.  "And 
Abraham  faid  unto  Lot,  let  there  be  no  ftrife  I  pray  thee,  between 
me  and  thee:"  and  a  prodigious  congregation  were  colleded,  among 
whom  were  about  200  of  the  children  of  Abraham  according  to  the 
flefh.     They  feemed  well  pleafed. 

The  Baptist  AssociatioJi,  or  Mlssionaiy  Society, 

HAVE  been  alfo  very  fuccefsful  in  their  labors  of  love,  ef- 
pecially  in  India;  where  they  have  united  with  other  denominations 
in  carrying  the  gofpel  to  that  numerous,  fuperftitious,  and  idolatrous 
people. — To  give  foma  idea  of  the  work  of  God  carrying  on  t/.-ert; 
by  their  means,  the  following  extra(51s  of  letters  received  by  a  wor- 
thy gentleman  of  this  City,  and  fome  others  in  Europe,  from  that 
country,  the'  lengthy,  are  inferted. 


24 


Dinagcpore  March  Ijth,  i8c,^, 

«  The  Rev.  Mr.  Gerickc,  a  Miflionary  upon  the  coaft  of  Ma- 
labar, writes  to  a  friend  in  Calcutta,  that  he  has  lately  baptized  2700 
perfons  on  the  coaft.  This  is  indeed  the  Lord's  doings,  and  it  is 
marvellous  in  our  eyes.  The  Iviiffion  at  Seramoore  is  not  without 
fuccels,  for  our  little  Church  is  by  the  divin^i  bleffing  increafing. 
Mr.  Carey  has  lately  baptized  two  Hindoos,  one  of  them  a  Brah- 
min, the  lirft  of  that  calt  that  has  embraced  the  gofpel. 


Calcutta  Aug.  37,  l8o2. 
From  Mr.   Carey  a  prhuipal  Mijjionary  in  India. 

A  moft  encouraging  circumftance  has  lately  occurred,  and  which 
has  much  ftrengthened  our  hands.  About  3  months  ago,  three 
mufTulmen  came  from  a  diftance  to  hear  the  gofpel,  and  requefted 
that  one  of  us  wouJQ  pav  them  a  vifit;  ^\hich  we  promifed  them  to 
do  after  the  rainy  fealon,  when  the  paflages  by  water  would  be  open. 
About  fix  weeks  fince,  one  of  them  deputed  by  the  reft,  came 
again,  to  conduft  any  of  us  who  would  go.  Brother  Marfhman  was 
the  only  one  who  could  undertake  fo  long  a  journey,  and  a  better 
could  noc  have  been  chofen  for  the  purpofe. 

The  place  where  they  live,  is  in  the  diftrift  of  Jefibre  near  the 
river  Jsamuty.  On  his  arrival  he  found  about  100  perfons  who 
have  forfeveral  years  rejected  their  caft.  They  are  MufTulmen  and 
Hindoos,  formerly  of  various  cafts.  They  were  convinced  ot  the 
folly  and  wickednefs  of  both  the  Hindoo  and  MuiTulman  faith,  but 
confefled  that  they  were  ignorant  of  what  was  right;  and  hearing  of 
us,  they  v/ere  very  defiroas  of  knowing  the  gofpel.  Brother  Marfh- 
man's  reception  among  tliem  exceeded  all  expctftation.  Many  were 
gathered  together,  ready  to  hear  the  woid  when  he  arrived,  having 
had  previous  notice ;  and  they  did  it  with  a  kind  of  pleafure  and 
eagernefs  feldom  feen  in  this  country.  Tiiey  dcfired  us  to  write  to 
them  and  to  vifit  them — promifing  to  vifit  us  when  they  can.  In 
fliort  a  hopeful  profpe^t  prefents  itfelf.  In  returning  home.  Brother 
Marfhman  got  intelligence  of  another  body  of  Hindoo  diffenters 
whom  he  determined  to  villt.  He  did  fo;  and  found  that  at  another 
place  about  a  day  s  journey  nearer  home,  there  are  at  leaft  20CO  per- 
fons who  have  publicly  renounced  their  caft.  They  received  him 
with  great  pleafure,  and  were  defirous  of  feeing  him  again. 

The  late  opening  in  the  Eaftern  part  of  the  country  more  than 
balanctfs  all  our  diftreffes.  They  have  a  Society  of  upwards  of  200 
perfons,  who  have  rejed:ed  all  worfiiip  of  Idols,  and  all  honor  to 
M'lhomet;  and  what  is  more,  they  rejedt  many  of  the  vices  which 


^5 

finet  natives  practice  with  an  unblufhing  countenance.  Since  they 
have  known  us,  the  whole  body  of  this  people  have  received  the 
Bible  as  the  word  of  God:  They  meet  together  to  read  it  and  to 
ptay ;  and  intend  to  ered  a  place  for  themlelves  where  they  can  nieet 
for  worfiiip.  They  now  alfo  call  themfeivcs  chriftians  and  cfteem 
us  as  their  brethren.  We  really  hope  that  fome  of  them  are  t.uly 
converted;  and  all  of  them  whom  I  have  feeo,  appear  to  be  feri- 
oufly  inclined.  I  trufi:  that  e'er  long  they  will  have  a  gofpel  church 
formed  among  them.  I  was  furprifed  to  fee  with  what  facility  t!iey 
could  turn  to  any  place  ot  fcripture:  they  did  not  feem  to  be  more 
Ht  a  lofs  to  find  a  pafr.i^c,  than  a  perfon  would,  who  had  been  ac- 
cuftomed  to  the  Bible  all  his  days.  The  dodlrine  of  the  Trinity  is 
peculiarly  abhorred  by  the  MufTulmen  ;  and  thefe  p'?opIe  held  a  coun- 
cil, which  lalled  three  days,  to  confider  whether  this  doftrlne  could 
be  admitted  or  not.  It  ended  with  an  univerfal  acknowledgment 
of  it;  yet  leaving  it  as  a  myftery,  in  the  fame  manner  as  chriftians 
do  in  generali" 

jinother  from  the  same. 

Calcutta,  October  6,  1803. 
The  number  of  our  church  members  is  now  39,  and  v/e  are  in 
hopes  of  receiving  another  native  by  baplifm  before  long.  Of  this 
number  25  are  natives. — The  fure  promifes  of  the  word,  the  all 
fufficiency  of  the  divine  power,  the  energetic  zeal  of  the  Lord  of 
Hofts,  and  his  ufual  way  in  providence  feem  to  encourage  our  hopes, 
and  excite  us  to  perfevere  in  the  work. — This  country  is  extremely 
populous,  the  vaft  numbers  of  perfons  in  Calcutta  alone,  mufl:  ex- 
ceed your  ideas.  I  fuppofe  that  few  ftreets  in  Loadon  are  fi  Her, 
if  fo  full  of  people,  as  the  ftreets  of  this  town ;  yet  in  all  this  place, 
and  indeed  m  the  country,  I  fear  the  number  of  truly  converted 
perfons  will  fear cely  exceed  100  It  is  truly  a  melancholy  thing, 
to  go  along  the  llreetsand  meet  thoufands  of  people,  without  being 
able  to  indulge  the  hope  that  fome  '.'f  them  maybe  converted  peo- 
ple. Here  the  harveft  is  great  and  the  labourers  are  few  indeed. 
O  may  the  Lord  of  the  harveft  fpecdily  fend  labourers  into  this 
harveft. — Surely  it  is  not  too  much  to  hope  that  God  will  raife  up 
gifts  among  the  converted  natives,  and  among  the  youths  who  are 
educated  under  us,  and  who  are  likely  to  Ipend  their  days  .n  this 
country.  We  hope  in,  and  bend  our  attention  to,  this  def::.!  ob- 
]tS.;  but  muft  wait  till  the  all  wife  God  give  the  bleffing.  We 
have  a  fecond  edition  of  the  Bengalee  New  Teftament  in  the  Prefs. 
The  firft  edition  will,  in  all  probability,  be  difpofed  of  before  this 
is  pr  inted  off.  I  think  we  have  given  away  about  40  copies  a  month 
ever  fince  it  has  been  publifhed. — The  accounts  from  America  have 

n 


26 

gladdened  our  hearts;  and  not  only  encouraged  us,  but  other  Evaii- 
gelical  MiniHicrs  in  this  country;  and  we  have  fome  times  hoped 
that  the  fpi:  it  may  thus  be  poured  out  upon  India,  or  rather  this  part 
of  India,  for  a  work  fome  what  fimilar  was  carried  on  upon  the  coafl: 
(of  Malabar)  laft  year,  under  the  miniftry  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Gerike 
and  fome  native  laborers  in  thofe  parts. — Some  thoufands  rejected 
heathenifm,  broke  and  deftroyed  their  Idols,  fitted  up  the  old  Tem- 
ples for  chridian  worfhip,  and  were  formed  into  gofpel  Churches. 
They  have  fince  had  great  perfecution;  but  the  Lord  has  preferved 
them  faithful  to  himfelf." 


Aljo  from  Mr.   Carey. 

Calcutta,  Oflober  25  1803, 

"  Yefterday  I  had  the  pleafure  to  baptize  a  Brahman  who  is  from 
Aflam,  and  is  the  firft  fruits  of  that  country  to  the  Lord.  This 
is  the  26th  perfon  whom  we  have  baptized  from  among  the  heathen; 
and  we  have  reafon  to  fay,  that  with  the  exception  of  two  perfons, 
all  of  them  give  us  pleafure  in  a  greater  or  lefs  degree ;  and  are  ac- 
counted by  us  as  the  excellent  ones  of  Bengal.  Of  thefe  perfons 
two  have  been  removed  by  death.  The  firft  was  murdered,  fuppo- 
fed  by  thieves — but  the  other,  left  a  fweet  favour  behind  him :  I 
never  recoiled  to  have  feen  more  of  the  chiiltian  exhibited  on  a  death 
bed,  than  in  the  cafe  of  this  man — his  fteady  hope  in  Chrift — the 
chearfulnefs  of  his  mind  till  the  laft,  and  the  favour  of  evangelical 
truth,  which  he  conftantly  difcovered  in  his  talk,  through  an  illnefs 
of  near  three  months,  have  left  a  deep  imprefllon  upon  the  minds  of 
all  thofe  who  furvived  him.     His  name  was  Gokool.* 

It  is  time  now  to  be  up  and  doing.  The  time  is  fiiort.  Souls 
are  precious — opportunities  multiply,  and.  every  opportunity  of  doing 
good  to  others,  either  by  fpeaking  or  writing,  or  by  any  other  me- 

*  By  another  letter  dated  17  OiStober  Mr.  Carey  fays.  Gokool  died  of  a 
ling;ering  dileafe,  a  hectic  fever,  and  vvc  hid  many  opportunities  to  fee  his 
whole  carriage  during  his  afflidlion,  and  in  tlie  article  of  death,  which  was 
highly  fatisfaiftory,  and  beautifully  marked  with  a  calm  and  firm  reliance  on 
Chrift.  Gokool  was  by  nature  a  man  of  the  moft  violent  paflions  and  noted 
for  turbulence  and  every  thing  hntcfuK  before  b.is  converfion.  If  any  thing 
couldniark  the  efncacy  of  divine  grace,  I  think  the  latter  part  of  his  life  did, 
and  efpecially  his  deatli.  We  had  purchafed  a  burying  ground,  but  a  few  days 
before,  hi  which  he  was  interred.  A  vaft  num'jer  oi"  people  attended,  and 
we  have  reafon  to  hope  that  the  iniprefTion  made  on  them  was  not  unfavoura- 
ble to  the  jj;ol'pil.  There  are  two  more  Hindoos,  concerning  whom  we  hope 
well.  1  expecfl  to  baptize  one  of  them  next  Lords  day,  who  is  a  Brahman 
fioni  the  extreme  part  of  Bengal,  or  rather  belonging  to  an  independant  Rajah 
on  the  North  Eafl  of  Bengal, 


27 

thod,  Tias  a  loud  voice  to  us  all.     May  we  be  enabled  to  make  ufc 
pf  thefe  feafons,  tp  the  honor  and  glory  of  our  God.'' 


Serampore,    November  i"],  iSojc 

"  God,  I  believe  will  carry  on  his  work  in  this  country  ;  the  lea- 
yen  is  already  at  work.  Many  are  thinking  and  feme  are  convert- 
ed. Succefs  indeed  at  prefent  is  not  greatly  apparent,  but  we  truft 
that  Jehovah  will  arife  fpeedily  and  build  up  Zion,  and  appear  in  his 
jglory." 


The  following  is  an  ExtraS  of  a  Letter,  from  Mr.  Gertie  himself, 
dated  Voparry,  Jan.    l8th,   1 803. 

I  wrote  to  you  laft  from  Seringapatam  ;  fince  that  time  1  have 
experienced  great  hardfhips,  and  alfo  fingular  mercies.  When  ia 
my  journey,  I  came  near  to  the  extremity  of  the  peninfulas,  I  found 
whole  villages  waiting  anxioufly  for  my  coming,  to  be  further  inftrudt- 
ed  and  baptized.  They  had  got  acquainted  whith  our  native  prieft: 
in  that  country,  and  the  catechifts  and  chriftians  ;  and  had  learned, 
from  them,  the  catechifm,  which  thofe  who  could  wiite  copied,  to 
learn  it  thenifelves,  at  their  leifure. 

When  they  heard  of  my  coming,  they  broke  their  Idols  to  pieces, 
and  converted  their  temples  into  chriftian  churches;  in  v/hich  I  in- 
fl:ru(fled  and  baptized  them ;  in  fo me  about  200,  in  others  near  c;oo; 
formed  them  into  chriftian  congregations;  procured  for  them  Cate- 
chifts and  fchool-mafters;  and  made  them  choofe,  in  each  place, 
four  elders.  Thefe  examples  awakened  the  whole  country;  and 
-when  I  was  about  to  leave  it  the  inhabitants  of  many  more  villages 
fent  raeflages  to  me,  begging  me  to  remain  a  couple  of  months  longer 
in  their  country ;  and  to  do  in  their  villages,  the  good  work  I  had 
done  in  thofe  of  their  neighbours.  Since  that,  there  have  been  in- 
ftrudted  and  baptized  27CO  people  more,  and  18  congregations 
more  have  been  formed.  Among  thefe  new  converts,  are  feveral 
Chiefs,  all  very  zealous ;  and  one  of  them  travels  about,  preaching 
the  gofpel. — Since  my  return,  fome  of  the  heathen  of  that  country, 
old  enemies,  have  ftirred  up  aperfecution  againft  them.  By  a  let- 
ter fince,  from  that  country,  I  am  informed  of  the  good  news,  that 
the  perfecution  had  abated  in  feveral  places;  and  that  the  chriftians 
«/ho  had  been  confined,  had  been  honorably  acquitted." 


28 


Scrampore  Cfl.  ii.  iSc.v 
"There  has  not  been  any  great  work  apparent  here,  but  yet  ic 
has  been  evidently  progrefling.  Since  our  arrival  1 1  natives  have 
made  a  profeflion  of  chridianity  by  baptifm.  Among  whom  are  three 
BrThmans.  Thefe  have  been  colleifted  not  by  our  er.deavours;  but 
evidently  by  the  gracious  providence  of  God.  Some  have  heard 
from  others — others  have  obtained  information  from  papers;  and 
others  have  accidentally  called,  as  they  pafled  by  and  heard  the 
words  of  life  from  our  brethren  ;  and  thus  have  been  led  to  enquiry, 
which  we  hope  has  ended  in  their  thorough  converfionto  God.  It 
mud  be  remarked  that  not  one  of  thefe  people  belonged  to  Scrampore, 
but  all  came  from  a  diftance,  and  lorie  widely  a  part  from  each 
Other.  From  the  Eart:  and  from  the  Weft — and  from  the  North 
and  from  the  South  will  God  gather  in  his  elecft,  and  (hew  that  it 
is  not  by  might  nor  by  power,  nor  by  an  arm  of  flefh,  but  by  his 
own  fpirjt,  that  his  work  is  to  be  accomplilhed.  Brother  Kriflino  is 
perhaps  the  mofc  ufeful  in  this  way.  Inquirers  are  entertained  at 
his  houfe  and  he  fpends  much  of  his  time  in  converfing  with  them, 
for  which  he  is  eminently  qualified.  He  is  an  experienced  chrifti- 
an,  and  a  very  valuable  and  ufeful  man.  He  is  the  fir/!:  Brahman 
who  was  baptized.  He  is  gone  v^ith  brother  W — to  Dinagepore. 
Brother  W — writes  fome  very  pleafmg  things  concernmg  him — one 
is,  his  proficiency  in  fpeaking  and  difputing  with  the  natives.  God 
has  been  pleafed  to  remove  our  brother  Gokool  by  death,  from  the 
church  militant,  to  the  church  triumphant;  of  this  he  gave  abundant 
teftimony  both  during  a  lingering  illnefs  and  in  the  article  of  death. 
His  hope  was  wholly  in  Chriii:  and  fupported  by  tl'.is  he  pnfTed 
through  the  valley  of  the  fliadow  of  death  and  feared  no  evil.  We 
have  been  vifited  by  fome  people  from  a  place  about  500  miles  dis- 
tant called  Lockfeel,  who  have  given  us  great  hope.  They  had  been 
here  before  ;  and  our  brethren  have  at  different  times  vifited  them. 
They  are  intelligent  people,  much  above  the  common  rank.  They 
read  well  and  try  to  underlhmd  all  they  read,  are  devoted  enemies  to 
Hindooifm  and  Mahometanifm,  and  very  great  adepts  in  difputation 
on  thefe  points.  They  fay  that  their  niinds  arc  made  up  refpedin-r 
chrilHanity — they  are  fure  that  it  is  the  true  and  right  way  ;  and 
in  it  alone,  they  exped  pardon,  and  depend  wholly  on  the  death  of 
Chrift  for  lalvation.  Some  thing  of  a  worldly  nature  hinders  them 
from  making  a  public  profeffion  by  baptifm,  which  gives  us  forrow 
and  damps  our  rifing  expedations.  ' 

Schools  are  inftituting  in  many  parts  of  the  country  for  Engllfh, 
Portuguese  and  Hindoo  children,  and  the  Bible,  with  many  other  pi- 
ous Books,  is  printed  in  the  Bengalee,  Hindoftanee,  Perfian  and 
^aharata  languages. 


29 

In  Ceylon,  an  Ifland  containing  more  tlian  lOOjOCO  Inhabitants, 
a  great  work  is  alfo  carrying  on.  Hit;  britifli  pcfTefFions  are  divi- 
ded into  4  difhidts— thele  are  divided  into  counties,  which  are  fub- 
dividedinto  pariflies.  In  every  parifli  is  a  piuteflant  fchool,  where 
the  youth  arc  initrudled  in  reading  and  writing  their  own  language, 
and  in  the  principles  of  chiiiHanitv.  Over  every  lo  fchools  is  ap- 
pointed one  catechift,  whofe  bufmefa  it  is  to  perfoim  a  villtation  once 
a  month  to  enc^uire  into  the  condiKft  of  the  teachers  ;  to  examine 
the  progrefs  made  by  the  fcholars,  and  to  exhort  them  to  induftry 
and  diligence.  In  each  of  the  lefTer  diftricfts  is  eftabiifhed  a  native 
officiating  pieacher,  who  has  been  examined,  and  performs  divine 
fervice  in  one  of  the  churches  or  fchools  every  Sunday  &c.  In 
each  of  the  principal  diftric^s  are  one,  two  or  three  clergymen  who 
have  been  ordained  in  Europe.  Each,  has  the  fuperintending  charge 
of  a  certain  number  of  fchools,  to  which  he  performs  a  vifitation 
once  a  year,  and  adminifters  the  holy  communion.  Some  of  the  na- 
tive preachers  and  catcchifts  ;;re  really  men  of  principle  and  abilities, 
and  are  extremely  ufeful.  By  the  lalt  returns,  there  were  nearly 
17c  fchools  and  upwards  of  42C00  prufeffing  proteflant  chriftians. 
The  number  of  chridians  profefTing  the  religion  of  the  church  of 
Rome  was  very  great.  There  are  15  priefis  on  the  Ifland,  who 
are  indefatigable  in  their  labors,  and  are  daily  making  profelytes. 
The  dodrines  of  thofe  who  have  been  educated  by  the  Dutch  are 
purely  calviniflic  and  tlieir  fermons  evangelical. 

A  Britilh  MiiEonary  has  alfo,  in  a  great  meafure,  fucceeded  In 
eftabliHiing  a  mifiion  in  Aftracan  in  Pcrfia.  He  writes  from  Corafs 
Bedmaw  near  Geotghieufl;  under  date  of  27  Jc-muary  1 803.  "I 
have  met  with  a  degree  of  prufperity  in  my  undertaking,  that  makes 
me  afraid — Providence  has  enabled  me  to  do  more  than  ever  I  me- 
ditated. V/e  have  fixed  ourfelves  in  a  village,  which  leparates  the 
Tartars  from  the  Cabordians  who  inhabit  a  great  part  of  Caucafus. 
This  place  in  which  we  are  fettled,  is  on  the  frontier  of  the  Ruffian 
empire,  but  properly  in  the  Circaffian  country.  We  travelled,  un- 
der the  favour  of  an  open  letter  from  the  emperor  of  Ruffia  to  his  go- 
vernors &c.  by  the  way  of  Mofcow,  SarcjJta  Adracan  &c.  about  3000 
Verfts  to  the  place  where  we  now  are.  It  is  within  a  few  days 
journey  of  Perfia  and  Bokkaria  and  within  5  o  miles  of  Turkey. 
Although  1  doubt  not  the  Society  for  Millions  to  Africa  and  the 
Eaft,  have  already  fulHcient  engagements,  yet  may  I  not  venture  to 
afk,  whether  they  might  not  ranfom  a  few  Tartar  youths  ?  fhould 
any  of  them  prove  pious,  they  might  afterwards  do  much  in  propa- 
gating the  gofpel — you  cannot  conceive  the  refpeft  and  attention  a 
Tartar  or  Circaffian  would  meet  with,  who  underftood  the  Arabic, 
Turkilh,  Perfian  and  Tartar  languages  •well." 


The  Cliurck  of  the  United  Bretlireny 

Commonly  called  Moravians,  have  alfo  fhewn  a  zeal  and  ac- 
tivity in  their  mafter's  fervice,  that  deferves  well  of  every  friend  to 
the  falvation  of  men.  They  have  had  greater  fuccefs  among  the 
heathen  of  various  denominations,  and  particularly  among  the 
Northern  Indians,  tiian  any  other  proteftant  fed  of  Chriftians  what- 
ever. 

The  number  of  perfons  employed  by  them  in  miflions  to  various 
parts  of  the  world,  flood  thus  in  1802, 

In  the  Danifli  Weft  India  Settlements.  Miffionariesc 

Iflands,  they  have 6  32 

In  Antigua 3  17 

In  St-  Kitts I  4 

In  Jamaica ,3  8 

In  Barbadoes i  2 

In  Tobago i  2 

In  Greenland 3  16 

In  Labrador 3  23; 

In  Quebec  and   Newfoundland.      .     .  3  3 

Among  the  Indians  in  North  America.  3  19 

In  South  America 4  24 

Among  the  Hottentots,  at  the  1 

Cape  of  Good  Hope.      S      '     '  ^  '° 

In  the  Rufiian  part  of  Afia.       .     .     .  i  2 

Near  TranqueBar  in  the  Eaft  Indies.     .  i  2 

37  166 

At  the  clofe  of  the  year  1800,  the  Congregation  of  native  Indi- 
ans at  Hoop  in  Surinam,  in  South  America,  confifted  of  208  per- 
fons, 169  baptized,  84  communicants,  39  not  yet  baptized;  alfo 
at  New  Bombay  in  tlie  fame  country  49  free  Negroes,  i  7  of  whom 
are  communicants. 

The  laft  letters  from  Surinam  fay,  "  The  work  of  God  proceeds, 
though  not  rapidly,  yet  with  a  manifeft  bieffing  upon  the  labors  of 
our  brethren.  In  all  the  four  fettlements  they  are  earneftly  and  di- 
ligently engaged  in  inviting  poor  loft  finners,  to  hear  and  believe  the 
gofpel  of  their  redeemer.  At  Paramaribo  16  adult  negro  flaves  had 
been  baptized  from  January  to  the  end  of  September  1802.  This 
year  the  believing  negroes  in  the  three  Iflands  of  St.  Thomas,  St. 
Croix  and  St.  Jan  coniiftcd  of  10,276  fouls.     One  of  the  brethren 


31 

Xvrites  from  Jamaica  under  date  of  January  1 803.  "  I  went  to  brotJiet' 
Lefter  to  Iflatid^  where  on  the  laft  day  of  the  year,  I  had  the  plea- 
fure  in  the  evening  to  meet  about  40  negroes,  who  were  ranged  in 
great  order  on  the  floor  of  the  Hall,  and  liltened  very  attentively  to 
my  difcourfe.  May  our  Lord  grant  that  this  new  year  may  prove  a 
period  of  renewed  grace  and  mercy  both  for  us  and  our  negroes,  that 
a  true  hunger  and  thirfl  after  him  and  his  word  m:ty  be  excited  in 
their  hearts. 

The  Committee  are  forry  to  fay,  that  fince  the  mofl  promifing  ap- 
pearances in  favour  of  the  people  of  colour  in  this  liiand,  laws  have 
been  made,  making  it  highly  criminal  for  any  but  minillcrs  licenced 
according  to  law  to  preach  to  the  blacks,  and  as  much  fo,  for  the  blacks 
to  hear;  which  has  put  a  ll'op  to  this  glorious  work  for  theprefent-'' 

The  brethren  in  their  account  of  Millions  fay,  "  that  their  fimple 
motive  in  fending  Miffionaries  to  diftant  nations  was,  and  remains,  an 
ardent  defire  to  promote  the  falvation  of  their  fellow  men,  by  making 
known  to  them  the  gofpel  of  our  faviour  Jefus  Chrlft.  They  were 
grieved  to  hear  of  lo  many  thoufands  and  millions  of  the  human  race 
fitting  in  darknefs  and  groaning  beneath  the  yoke  of  fin  and  the  tyran- 
ny of  fatan ;  and  believing  the  glorious  promifes  in  the  word  of  God, 
that  the  heathen  (hould  become  the  reward  of  the  fufferings  and  death 
of  Jefus;  they  confidered  his  commandments  to  go  into  all  the  world 
and  preach  the  gofpel  to  every  creature,  as  given  to  all  his  followers ; 
they  were  filled  with  confident  hopes,  that  if  they  alfo  went  forth  in 
obedience  unto,  and  believing  in  his  word,  their  labor  would  not  be 
in  vain  in  the  Lord.  They  accordingly  went  forth  in  the  ftrength  of 
their  God,  and  he  has  wrought  wondeis  in  their  behalf.  From 
very  fmall  beginnings,  the  miffions  of  the  brethren  have  encreafed  to 
above  thirty  fettlemenis  in  different  parts  "of  the  earth,  in  which 
about  160  Miflionarics  are  employed,  who  have  the  care  of  upwards 
of  24000  converts  from  among  the  heathen." 

The  Milfion  among  the  Hottentots  at  the  Cape  of  Good  Hope, 
was  begun  by  a  man  remarkable  for  his  zeal  and  courage,  who  labored- 
fuccefsfully,  till  he  had  formed  a  fmall  congregation  of  believers. 
When  the  Miflionarics  firft  arrived  in  the  country,  at  the  place  called 
Bavians  Kloof  in  1792,  it  was  a  barren  uninhabited  place.  There 
were  in  the  year  1 800,  five  married  Mifllionaries  refiding  there,  and 
1300  Hottentots  of  the  congregation. 

At  Cape  Town  the  number  of  the  converted  heathens  is  confi- 
derable,  who  manifclt  the  power  of  the  fpirit.  not  only  in  the  pub- 
lic worfliip  but  in  their  intercourfe  among  themfelves  ;  fo  that  while 
the  declenfion  of  zeal  for  the  caufe  of  Jefus  among  many  profeflx)rs 
is  lamented,  his  holy  name  is  daily  more  and  more  adored  among 
the  Heathen. 


32 

At  Stillcnbock  about  2n  miles  from  cape  Town,  feveral  poor  hcd^ 
then  have  joyfully  embraced  the  Saviour  of  finners,  and  manifclkd  in 
their  experience  the  genuine  marks  of  a  divine  work  ;  and  one  of 
them  on  the  near  expeflation  of  her  departure  into  the  eternal  ftate, 
cxprefled  the  mod  comfortable  perfuafion  of  her  perfonal  intereft  in 
the  love  of  Jefus,  and  the  redemption  procured  by  his  death.  The 
Miffionary  hiis  alfo  opened  a  fchool  here  for  the  children  of  the  Hot- 
tentots, in  which  he  has  about  30  children. 

At  another  fhition  in  Waggonmakers  valley,  after  much  oppofi- 
tion  from  perfons  calling  themfelves  chridians,  by  the  aid  of  Gov. 
Dundas,  who  greatly  countenanced  the  undertaking,  a  fettlement 
has  been  effeLtcd,  and  the  Miffionary  exprefles  his  hope  that  he  be- 
gins to  fee  the  work  of  the  holy  fpirit.  He  fays  "  that  at  their 
monthly  prayer  meetings,  when  we  bow  our  knees  before  the  throne 
of  grace,  the  Hottentots  cry  out,  we  thank  Cjod  that  you  are  come 
to  us.  Many  of  the  Haves  exprefs  a  great  reverence  for  the  gofpel, 
and  rejoice  that  they  hear  of  a  crucified  Saviour,  Twenty  of  them 
are  now  learning  the  alphabet.  Thirty  can  fpell,  and  five  can  read, 
and  are  learning  the  catechifm.  There  are  feveral  other  ftations 
occupied  by  Millionaries.  One  of  them  is  atZaak  River,  which  is  about 
19  days  journey  (or  gno  miles)  from  the  Cape,  where  the  golpc«I 
is  attended  with  confiderable  effeifl.  Another  is  at  Graff  Reinet 
near  the  limits  of  the  Colony  towards  CafFraria,  where  a  confiderable 
number  of  heathen  are  hearing  the  word  of  life*  About  three  j^eara 
ago  a  MilTionary  arrived  in  Africa,  when  a  deputation  from  a  people 
called  the  Corannas,  who  live  about  five  weeks  journey  on  the 
great  Orange  River,  arrived  at  Cape  Town,  earneftly  defiring  that 
fome  good  man  might  be  fent  to  infl:ru(5t  them.  This  the  Miffion- 
aries  confidered  as  a  plain  call  to  vifit  the  poor  wild  Hottentots. — - 
They  accordingly  let  off,  and  with  incredible  labor  and  fatigue 
reached  the  place,  having  travelled  feven  davs,  through  a  country 
almofl:  without  a  blade  of  grafs,  living  on  Oftrich  eggs,  and  with- 
out feeing  a  human  creature. 

Here  they  began,  among  the  Hottentots,  Corannas  and  Briquasj 
but  afterwards,  on  the  Invitation  of  a  confiderable  number  of  Hot- 
tentots, they  removed  eight  days  journey  lower  down  the  River. 
They  were  met  half  way  by  the  heathen,  to  their  mutual  joy,  and 
found  among  them  a  general  defire  for  inftrudion.  The  Miiilonary 
has  about  800  under  his  care,  and  has  been  gratuitoufly  fupplied 
with  as  much  provifions  as  were  neceflary.  He  has  been  but  about 
fix  months  with  them,  yet  20  of  them  had  began  to  read,  fome 
could  fpell  and  others  were  learning  the  alphabet.  Spiritual  impres- 
fions  feem  to  have  been  alfo  made  on  fome  of  them  ;  and  great  hopes 
are  entertained,  that  thefe  meafures  will  prove  the  moft  powerful 
means  of  civilizing  the  natives  and  tranquillizing  the  Colony. 


53 

Anotlier  Miffionary,  who  is  a  native  of  Mozambique,  and  had 
been  fold  as  a  flave  and  carried  into  the  Cape,  had  been  awakened 
by  the  preaching  of  the  gofpel  by  one  of  our  Miflionaries,  fo  as  to 
render  it  etfedual  to  his  falvation.  This  young  man,  already  free 
in  the  Lord  Jefus,  the  Society  redeemed  from  civil  bondage,  and  is 
preparing  to  be  fent  to  the  extenfive  region  of  Mozambique.  Thi 
Society  has  the  ftrongeft  reafon  to  believe  that  many  tiioufand  hea- 
thens in  Africa  are  now  hearing  the  gofpel  of  falvation  fiom  the  lips 
of  thofe  Miflionaries  who  have  been  fent  out  by  the  Society. 
Among  many  of  the  chriftians,  they  obferve  an  energy  unknown  and 
unexerted  before;  a  time  of  refrefhing  from  the  prefence  of  the  Lord, 
the  effefls  of  which  are  felt  to  the  extremities  of  the  Colony. 

Sarepta  near  Czarina  on  the  Wolga  in  Ruflian  Afia,  was  built 
chiefly  with  a  view  to  bring  the  gofpel  to  the  Calmuck  Tartars  and 
other  heathen  tribes  in  thofe  vaft  regions.  Hitherto  little  or  no  fuc- 
cefs  has  attended  the  brethrens  labors,  though  their  exertions  have 
been  great  and  perfevering  ;  and  equal  to  thofe  of  any  of  our  Mis- 
fionaries  in  other  countries.  Some  brethren  even  refided  with  them, 
conforming  to  their  manner  of  living  in  tents,  and  accompanying 
them  wherever  they  moved  their  camps.  They  omitted  no  opportu- 
nity of  preaching  unto  them  Jefus,  and  dired:ing  them  from  their 
numberlefs  Idols  and  wretched  fuperftition,  to  the  only  true  God, 
and  the  way  of  life  and  happinefs  ;  but  though  they  were  heard  and 
treated  with  civility,  no  impreflion  could  be  made  upon  the  hearts 
of  thefe  heathen  :  but  the  German  Colonifts  on  the  Wolga  received 
them;  they  formed  Societies  amongfl:  them,  and  fo  anfwered  a  very 
beneficial  purpofe. 

The  Society  alfo  have  a  Miflion  in  Newfoundland,  of  which  a 
Miffionary  fays,  "  The  Lord  has  blefled  his  efforts  in  a  degree  that 
has  feldom  been  heard  of  in  a  fimilar  fituation.  Twenty-eight  per- 
fons  have  been  formed  into  a  church  of  Chrift — fourteen  others, 
chiefly  young  men,  joined  ftatedly  in  public  prayer  together,  and  at 
lead  half  that  number  of  young  women  are  apparently  under  fpiri- 
tual  concern. 

Two  Miflions  have  been  alfo  eftabliflied  at  Quebec  and  the  Bay 
Chaleur.  Much  oppofition  has  been  met  with  here  from  thofe  who 
bear  the  chrillian  name,  and  yet  both  Miflions  feem  to  be  attended 
with  beneficial  efleds.  Theprincipal  Miflionary  writes  "that  there  are 
fome  precious  fouls,  whom  charity  and  their  pious  condudl  and  devout 
breathings,  oblige  him  to  believe  that  they  have  been  brought  out 
of  nature's  darknefs,  into  the  marvellous  light  of  the  gofpel — and 
that  he  has  great  hopes  a  good  work  is  going  forward  among  them. 

The  moft  flourifliing  Miflions,  at  prefent,  are  thofe  in  Greenland, 
Antigua,  Saint  Kitts,  the  Danifli  Weft  India  Iflands,  and  the  Cape 
of  good  Hope.     A  new  awakening  has  appeared  of  late  among  the 

£ 


34 

Arrowwacks  and  free  negroes  in  South  America.  The  Efquimaux 
on  the  coaft  of  Labrador,  and  in  Barbadoes — and  the  lateft  accounts 
give  the  moft  pleafing  hopes  in  thofe  parts.  Several  attempts  to 
carry  the  gofpel  into  other  parts  of  the  earth,  made  by  the  brethren, 
have  not  fucceeded — as  to  the  Laplanders  and  Samojedes — on 
the  coaft  of  Guinea — to  the  flaves  in  Algiers — to  Perfia — to  Egypt. 
Indeed  in  upper  Egypt  there  was  a  profped  of  being  ufeful  among 
the  Copts,     who  have  been  vifited  for  feme  years. 

The  brethrens'  general  pradtice  is  to  preach  the  gofpel  to  all 
heathen  to  whom  they  have  accefs,  and  every  foul  is  invited  to  be 
reconciled  to  God  through  the  atonement  made  by  Jefus  Chrift. 
Befides  the  public  teftimony  of  the  gofpel,  the  Miffionaries  are  di- 
ligently employed  in  vifiting  and  converfing  with  the  heathen  in  their 
dwellings.  If  they  are  awakened  to  a  fenfe  of  their  undone  ftate 
by  nature,  and  of  their  want  ©f  a  Saviour,  and  apply  for  further  in- 
ftrudtion,  giving  us  their  names,  they  are  called  Neiv  People^  and 
fpecial  attention  is  paid  to  them.  If  they  continue  in  their  earneft 
defire  to  be  faved  from  the  power  of  fin,  and  to  be  initiated  into 
the  chriftian  churches  by  holy  baptifm,  they  are  confidered  as  can- 
didates for  baptifm  ;  and  after  previous  inltrudtion,  and  a  conveni- 
ent time  of  probation,  they  are  baptized.  If  they  then  prove  by 
their  walk  and  converfati^n  that  they  have  not  received  the  grace  of 
God  in  vain,  and  defire  to  be  admitted  to  the  holy  communion, 
they  are  firR  admitted  to  be  present  as  fpe(5tators,  and  then  confi- 
dered as  candidates  for  the  communion,  and  after  fome  time  become 
communicants.  A  free  man  or  flave  who  afts  contrary  to  the  mo- 
ral precepts  contained  in  the  Bible,  is  excluded  either  from  the 
Lord's  supper  or  the  meetings  of  the  baptized,  or  even,  in  certain 
cafes,  from  all  fellowfhip  with  the  congregation ;  for  no  fituation, 
or  prevalency  of  cuflom,  can  fandtion  a  pretext  fur  any  kind  of  dis- 
obedience to  the  rule  of  Chrift.  Such  are  not  readmitted  until 
they  have  given  fatisfaflory  proofs  of  true  repentance.  Millions  of 
late  have  been  uncommonly  expenfive,  from  feveral  concurring  cau- 
fes,  and  their  funds  reduced,  but  as  God,  whofe  work  it  is,  has 
never  failed  to  fupport  it,  a  grateful  fenfe  of  his  favour  produces 
faith  and  confidence  in  him.  As  to  the  manner  of  preaching  the 
gofpel  to  the  heathen,  the  brethren  have  by  long  experience  found, 
tnat  tlie  word  of  the  crofs  is  the  power  of  God  unto  falvation,  to 
all  men  that  believe.  They  therefore  immediately  preach  Jefus  and 
him  crucified  ;  fowing  the  word  in  tears,  with  patience  and  cou- 
rage, knowing  that  they  (lull  hereafter  reap  with  joy. 

The  Committee  are  indebted  to  the  various  perodical  publica- 
tions of  the  different  Inftitutions,  for  thefe  accounts  ;  on  whofe 
veracity,  and  chiefly  in  whofe  words,  they  have  made  this  ftiort 
abftraft. 


35 


An  affefling  account  of  the  fuccefs  of  the  united  brethren  among 
the  fable  children  of  Africa,  is  clofed  by  the  authors  of  the  evange- 
lical magazine,  with  tliis  addrefs,  which  is  thought  worthy  of  repeti- 
tion. "  What  chridian  can  pv^rufe  this  afFeding  narrative  without 
blefling  God,  who  to  our  black  brethren  hath  vouchfafed  this  abun- 
dant grace?  And  who  can  refrain  from  blefling  God  who  excited 
the  Moravian  church  to  thefe  labours  of  love;  and  who  hath  fo  won- 
derfully fucceeded  their  apoftolic  efforts?  Who  that  hath  tailed 
that  the  Lord  is  gracious,  will  refufe  the  aid  of  his  heart,  his  hand 
and  his  purfe  in  promoting  mifliionary  exertions,  fo  honored  of  our 
God  and  Saviour? 


£xtraBs  Jrom  two  letters  from  the  Revd.  Gideon  Blackburn, 
fading  under  the  authority  of  the  General  AJfemhly  of  the  Presbyte- 
rian church  in  the  United  States,  as  a  Mijfionary  to  the  Chero- 
kee Indians,)  to  the  Revd.  Dr.  Alhbel  Green,  Chairman  of  the 
•Committee  of  Mifftons. 

Maryviili,  Nov.  2,  1803, 

Revd.   Sir, 

YOU  have  no  doubt  been  waiting  with  confiderable  anxiety 
to  hear  from  me  on  the  fubjedt  of  my  miflion.  I  did  not  wilh  to 
•write  until  I  fliould  have  it  in  my  power  to  fay  fomething  decifive 
on  the  fubjed.  Immediately  on  my  return  to  TennefTee  I  took  every 
opportunity  of  converfation  with  the  leading  characters  of  the  nation 
on  their  vifits  to  our  fettlement,  and  Itated  to  them  my  wifhes. 
Some,  I  could  not  fee,  I  addrefled  by  letter,  in  order  to  prepare  their 
minds  for  giving  the  propofals  publicity.  By  information  from  Col. 
Meigs  I  found  there  was  to  be  a  general  meeting  of  the  nation  on 
the  15th  Sept.  near  fouth  weft  point,  about  forty  miles  from  this 
place.  I  attended,  but  the  Indians  had  poftponed  the  meeting  to 
the  1 5th  0<5t.  Finding  it  would  give  dignity  and  refpeift  to  the  in- 
flitution  to  have  the  fenfe  of  the  nation  on  the  fubjeft,  I  wrote  a 
circular  letter,  requefHng  an  anfwer  on  that  head  at  their  meeting. 
At  the  time  propofcd  I  again  attended,  and  met  a  general  affem- 
bly  of  the  chiefs,  and  a  confiderable  number  of  the  people,  in  all 
near  2000.  The  council  v/as  held  in  a  grove,  on  the  Indians  land, 
on  the  fouth  of  Tenneflee  river. 1  made  my  propofal  in  an  ad- 
drefs: on  the  20th  the  Indians  took  it  into  ferious  confideration 
that  evening  and  night,  and  in  full  council  the  next  day  rendered 
their  anfwer  in  the  following  words,  viz.  "  We  approve  of  a  fchool 
being  eftabhlhed  in  our  nation  under  the  fuperintendance  of  the  Revd. 


36 

Mr-  Blackburn,  and  hope  much  good  will  be  done  by  it  to  our  peo- 
ple: two  years  are  allowed  in  the  firft  place,  that  we  may  have  an 
opportunity  to  fee  what  progrefs  our  children  make  under  the  in- 
ftrudtion  of  the  teachers,  and  we  will  fend  fome  of  our  children  to 
the  fchool." 

THE  GLASS. 

Speaker  for  the  Nation. 
Atteft, 

RETURN  J.  MEIGS. 

A  place  was  agreed  on.  The  place  chofen  by  the  chiefs  as  moft 
fuitable  to  their  convenience,  is  near  a  town  called  HighwafTee, 
near  forty-five  miles  in  the  Nation.  I  have  procured  a  teacher,  of 
refpeflable  charafter,  approved  morals,  and  ftridt  piety. 

The  diftance  of  the  fchool  from  the  fettlement  made  it  neceflary 
for  the  teacher  to  live  in  the  Nation  :  I  therefore  preferred  one  with 
a  family  : — one  is  obtained,  who  has  a  decent  companion,  and  one 
child  : — he  has  entered  into  bond,  and  given  fufficient  fecurity  for 
his  performance. 

The  fchool  will  be  attended  with  confiderable  expence,  and  im- 
menfe  trouble  and  labor  ;  but  1  hope  God  will  dired  to  refources,  and 
enable  to  bear  the  fatigue.  The  advantage  to  the  Nation,  and  the 
caufe  of  God,  will,  1  trufl,  fully  repay  every  exertion  to  promote 
the  inftitution.  To  fee  thoufands  of  immortals,  capable,  by  improve- 
ment, to  vie  with  a  Boy!:',  a  Bacon,  and  a  Netuton,  buried  in  the 
fhades  of  favage  ignorance,  and  delUtute  of  the  means  of  enlighten- 
ing, would  infpire  the  molt  rtoical  mind  (if  religious)  with  apofto- 
lic  defires  to  refciie  them  from  their  native  ignorance  and  favage  wild- 
nefs.  However  I  am  fully  p^rfuaded  there  is  not  a  Nation  of  In- 
dians on  the  Continent,  which  promifes  fairer  to  reward  the  pious 
exertions  of  generoas  benefaftors,  than  the  Cherokee  Nation. 

Before  Chriftmafs,  I  flatter  myfelf,  every  thing  will  be  ready  to 
begin  the  fchool.  One  of  the  great  obftacles  to  be  furmounted  will 
be,  the  wild  and  diftant  difpolition  of  the  young  Indians  :  this  muft 
be  engaged  by  ajlurements:  perhaj)s  a  few  fmall  books,  to  be  given 
to  them,  mi^htbe  of  ufe. — Should  this  defideratum  be  fupplied,  and 
a  fev/  others  fuited  to  the  undertaking  be  forwarded,  it  would  evident- 
ly materially  ferve  the  MifTion. 

I  rcfl  aflured  we  have  your  moft  ardent  prayers,  and  thofe  of  your 
Society  for  our  fucceis  and  will  expect  your  friendly  communications 
toafiift  in  the  difcharge  of  the  inportant  truft. 

The  Pfefident,  the  Agent,  and  all  the  officers  of  government  are 
much  pleafed  with  the  delign,  and  engaged  to  promote  the  underta- 
king by  every  kind  office  in  their  power, — but  unlefs  God  build  the 
houfe  the  workmen  will  ftrivein  vain May  God  grant  his  aid,  af- 
ford his  afTiftance,  ^nd  receive  entirely  the  praife!" 


37 


•' Marvville,  April  11,   1804.'* 


"  After  immenfe  labour  and  fatigue  I  got  all  things  ready  for  open- 
ing the  Indian  fchool  on  the  2ifl  February.  The  mafter  had  been 
under  pay  from  December;  and  had  been  at  the  place,  making  ne- 
celfary  arrangements — obtaining  an  acquaintance  with  the  language, 
and  familiarizing  himfelf  with  the  children.  On  the  firft  day  there 
came  eleven  fcholars;  on  the  8th  of  March  there  •w&xtfixteen;  on 
the  -iyth  there  were  twenty;  and  feveral  more  are  expe^ed  in  a  few 
days, — as  foon  as  I  can  get  clothing  ready  for  them. 

The  children  behave  part  expedtacion ;  and  I  am  perfuaded  that 
by  a  difcipline  well  balanced  by  inducements  and  well  timed  autho- 
rity, they  can  be  kept  in  as  good  order  as  any  fchool  on  the  conti- 
nent. 

Their  proficiency  is  very  remarkable:  the  firft  day  feveral  of  them 
could  diflindly  pronounce  half  of  the  alphabet;  by  the  8th  of  March 
all  of  them  could  fay  their  letters,  backward  and  forward  and  could 
eafily  know  them  wherever  they  could  fee  them;  and  three  could 
fay  their  ab.  They  continue  their  progrefs;  and  1  flatter  myfelf 
that  their  proficiency  will  exceed  the  mofl  fanguine  expeftations. 
Two  boys  who  have  been  taught  in  the  fettlement,  are  now  at  fchool, 
and  are  beginning  to  write. 

The  adivity,  attention,  and  care  of  the  mader  deferve  the  high- 
eft  notice. 

I  have  fpent  three  months  in  clofe  fervice  to  the  inftitution,  be- 
fides  numberlefs  attentions  I  am  obliged  to  pay  to  it  at  home. 
The  intereft  I  feel  in  carrying  this  bufinefs  into  eifcd  would  fecure 
my  exertions,  fliould  I  receive  no  pecuniary  returns  from  any  perfon 
on  earth.  I  have  pledged  myfelf  to  the  nation,  and  my  property  is 
at  ftake  on  the  iflue  of  the  undertaking. 

I  found  it  neceffary  to  engage  in  the  bufinefs  on  a  large  fcale, 
which  involves  confiderably  more  expence  than  at  firft  I  had  calcu- 
lated: — the  cloathing  and  boarding  I  found  unavoidable:  without 
this  they  could  not  eafily  be  weaned  from  favage,  and  introduced 
into  civilized  habits;  nor  could  they  have  been  continued  at  fchool, 
had  they  been  boarded  in  Indian  families.  The  Indians  were  not 
fufficiently  fenfible  of  the  advantages,  to  fubmit  to  the  expences  of 
the  inftitution.  I  have  therefore  raifed  a  tolerable  large  houfe  with 
two  fires,  in  which  they  are  both  boarded  and  taught,  and  thus  are 
conftantly  under  the  e}'e  of  the  mafter. 

Enclofed  are  the  moft  material  direflions  which  I  have  given  to 
the  teacher.* 

In  every  converfation  I  have  had  with  the  chiefs,  I  have  inculcated 
the  ideas  of  fettling  in  farms  and  cultivating  the  foil:  I  think  .1  very 
ihort  period  will  bring  this  about. 

•  Thefe  immediately  follow  this  letter, 


38 

The  exigence  o^nfupreme  being  is  almofl  univerfally  acknowledg- 
ed, and  they  admit  his  agency  in  matters  of  importance. 

They  are  remakably  fond  of  hiHorical  (Icetches  ;  and  in  this  way 
might  eafily  be  inftrufted  in  the  hiftory  of  the  Bible.  Should  a  num- 
ber of  gentlemen  of  talents  and  leifure  publifh  a  work  in  the  form 
of  a  magazine  to  anfwer  this  end,  and  devote  it  to  the  ufe  of  the 
fchool,  I  am  perfuaded  it  would  ferve  the  caufe  of  God. 

The  chiefs  of  the  Nation  are  pleafed  with  the  thought,  that  their 
children  fliould  be  taught  to  do  bufinefs  like  the  white  people. 

A  few  days  ago  I  received  a  very  earneft  requeft  from  the  princi- 
pal chiefs  of  the  lower  diftrift  of  the  Nation  for  a  fchool  to  be  eftablifli- 
ed  among  them.  This  would  be  attended  with  lefs  expence,  as  a 
few  refpedable  white  men  live  near  that  place  who  would  board  the 
fcholars  free,  and  contribute  confiderably  for  fchooling  their  own  chil- 
dren. 

Shall  it  be  faid  by  future  writers  of  the  hlfliory  of  America,  that 
once  there  exifled  a  Nation  of  Indians,  confiding  of  upwards  of  eight 
thoufand  fouls;  but  they  are  funk  to  ruin  for  want  of  information, 
though  begging  for  the  means  of  civilization  from  a  rich,  an  enlight- 
ened, and  a  chriflianized  republic.  Shall  not  the  fame  ardor  fire 
our  breafts,  which  adtuates  the  merchant,  while,  in  the  purfuit  of 
wealth,  he  traverfes  the  globe,  or  faces  death  upon  the  mighty  waters! 
He  is  not  daunted  by  the  horror  of  the  tempefb,  or  the  changes  of 
climate,  until  he  arrives  in  Nootka  found  in  queft  of  a  few  Otterjiins; 
and  ftiall  the  falvation  of  fouls  be  of  lefs  confequence  in  our  view,  or 
(hall  we  be  apathetic  in  our  exertions  to  refcue  them  from  favage  ig- 
norance and  barbarity. 

I  wifh  to  be  fully  informed  of  the  wifiies  and  defigns  of  the  com- 
mittee on  this  fubjedt,  and  how  far  they  will  carry  the  attempt  to  ci- 
vilize this  Nation  ;  alfo  v/hat  funds  they  will  appropriate  to  that  end. 
Should  the  funds  be  inadequate,  rather  than  the  defign  fliould  mifcar- 
ry,  I  would  chearfully  commit  the  care  of  my  family  and  congrega- 
tions to  divine  providence,  and,  pleading  the  caufe  of  my  poor  red 
neighbours  and  brethren,  I  would  endeavor,  by  reprefenting  their 
cries  for  relief,  to  excite  a  generous  public  to  contribution. 

Were  the  ftate  of  the  fchool  and  its  wants  known  to  the  Merchants 
and  Bookfellers  of  Philadelphia,  I  am  perfuaded  that  blankets,  cloth- 
ing, and  books,  together  with  an  abundance  of  fmall  articles  which 
would  ferve  as  prefents,  and  inducements  to  the  children  might  ea- 
fily be  obtained.  Thefe  v/ould  be  of  great  fervice ;  and  indeed  with- 
out them  the  fchool  cannot  go  on.  All  (he  prefents  I  have  yet  given 
them  are  at  my  own  expence,  as  I  was  very  defirous  to  make  the 
bed  I  could  of  the  funds  on  hand, 

I  need  not  fpecify  the  kinds  of  books  which  will  be  wanted  ;  you. 
are  all  judges  of  thofe  things,  and,  having  it  in  your  power  to  feleS 
from  a  great  variety,  you  can  do  it  to  the  beft  advantage. 


39 

Oh,  fir,  if  I  had  the  wealth  of  a  Crcefus,  the  ambltibn  of  an  Alcx- 
^andcr,  and  the  wifdom  of  Solomon,  aided  by  the  zeal  of  a  Paul,  or 
an  Elliot,  they  fliould  all  be  employed  to  carry  on  this  defign. 

I  hope  this  earth  never  makes  one  revolution  on  its  axis  without 
finding  you  with  your  hands  fpread,  and  your  hearts  raifed  to  the  di- 
vine throne  for  my  affiftance. — May  your  prayers  be  fuccefsful,  and 
you  reap  a  rich  harvefl:  to  your  own  fouls ! 

'1  he  Nations  are  fhaking,  the  temple  is  filling  with  the  glory  of 
the  Lord,  and  the  poor  heathen  will  foon  rejoice  in  the  light  of  the 
fun  of  righteoufnefs.  May  we  who  already  enjoy  the  light  of  the 
gofpcl  be  indeed  the  fait  of  the  earth  !" 


Instructions  given  by  the  Rev.  C'uleon  Blackburn,  Mif- 
fionary  to  the  Cherokees,  to  the  mafter  of  the  fchool  inftituted  for 
the  education  of  their  children. 

1.  The  teacher  will  always  keep  in  view  that  the  objecfV  of  the 
Inftitution  is  to  moralize  and  civilize  the  Indians,  as  well  as  to 
teach  them  the  Rudiments  of  the  Englifh  Language  ;  and  there- 
fore his  conducft  in  all  cafes  will  be  fuch  as  will  tend  to  thofe  ends. 

2.  Each  morning,  in  the  prefence  of  the  fcholars,  he  will  begin 
the  exercifes  of  the  day,  by  finging  a  few  verfes  of  an  hymn,  and 
by  addrefling  a  prayer  to  the  Deity  ;  and  in  the  evening  will  clofe 
the  fchool  in  the  fame  manner: — taking  opportunities,  at  as  early  a 
period  as  poflible,  to  teach  the  pupils  the  defign  of  this  condud,  and 
of  impreffing  their  minds  with  the  propriety  of  filence,  folemnity, 
and  compofure,  during  the  exercifes. 

3.  The  fabbath  will  always  be  carefully  fpent  in  religious  duties; 
and  as  foon  as  the  fcholars  can  underftand  the  nature  of  the  cafe, 
they  muft  be  catechifed  on  the  firft  principles  of  religion ;  and  as  their 
capacity  encreafes,  advanced  towards  the  knowledge  of  religion  in 
general. 

On  thofe  days,  fliould  any  o/"/Z»f  A^<3//o«  vifit  the  teacher,  he  will 
carefully  avoid  converfations  on  worldly  topics,  and  in  a  family  way 
introduce  things  relative  to  God  &c.  and  the  firit  principles  of  re- 
ligion and  morality ;  always  retaining  a  grave  and  folemn  manner 
during  fuch  converfuion,  in  order  to  imprefs  the  hearers  with  the 
importance  of  thofe  fubjeds. 

4.  In  all  interviews  with  the  Indians,  the  teacher  will  take  care  to 
fliew  a  refpedtful  attention  to  them,  that  they  may  fee,  that  as  men, 
they  are  viewed  as  his  equals  ;  and  that  fuperiorinflrudion  docs  not 
make  men  proud,  but  more  humble  and  polite. 

5.  He  will  carefully  avoid  adopting  their  manners  and  habits, 
and  ftudioufly  keep  up  the  charadteriftic  of  fupcrior  civilization. 
Thus  he  will  lead  them  into  our  cufloms. 


40 

6.  In  the  government  of  the  fchool  all  feverity  will  be  avoided, 
atleafl:  until  the  fcholars  are  brought  to  love  their  new  enploy  ;  but 
ingenious  penalties  and  well  chofen  inducements  muft  be  adopted. 
In  the  whole  bufinefs  care  v/ill  be  taken  alwayj^  to  fhew  diiapproba- 
tion  of  vice. 

7.  In  the  hours  of  amufement,  the  mafter  v/ill  do  well  to  direct 
them  to  fuch  exercifes  and  plays,  as  are  pradlifed  among  the  white 
people  ;  thereby  eventually  tochang-  the  diverfions  of  the  nation. 

8.  The  teacher  will,  in  all  cafes,  avoid  entering  into  the  difputes 
of  the  nation,  or  becoming  a  party  in  their  politics  ;  and  thus  main- 
tain his  influence  with  the  whole. 

9.  He  rnufl:  ufe  his  belt  endeavors  to  form  a  vocabulary  of  the  lan- 
guage of  the  nation. 

10.  CoHeft  as  much  as  pofTible,  from  the  bed  attefted  facts,  an 
hiftory  of  the  nation. 

11.  Keep  a  record  of  the  fcholars  names;  exhibiting  carefully, 
every  month,  the  progrefs  of  each,  and  marking  thofe  who  efpecial- 
]y  excel. 


THE  HYMN  TO  JESUS. 

Tranjlated  from  the  Hottentot  Language  and  verjijied  in  Englijh. — It 
luas  fung  by  the  three  Hottentots. — Vide  page  ai. 

O  Zion's  king  !   Thou  Son  of  God, 
Exalted  on  thy  Father's  throne! 
Behold  the  purchafe  of  thy  blood, 
On  thy  dear  bride  look  gently  down. 

Far  from  thyfelf,  her  head,  her  Lord, 
Her  life,  her  love,  for  thee  (he  longs ! 
Oh,  come  and  fpeak  fome  cheering  word  ; 
And  foon  her  fighs  fliall  turn  to  fongs! 

Forget  not  fouls  ftill  dead  in  fin, 

For  whom  thy  precious  blood  was  fixed  : 

Oh,  let  them  feel  a  life  divine. 

Thy  mighty  power  can  raife  the  dead  ! 

Now  let  thy  glory  be  difplay'd. 

Now  caufe  the  deaf  thy  voice  to  hear  ; 

That  it  of  Zion  may  be  faid, 

*'  This  and  that  man  was  born  in  her." 


41 

Fountain  of  life!   Almighty  God  ! 
Thy  fplrit's  influence  impart! 
Oh  fhed  thy  precious  love  abroad. 
And  let  it  foften  ev'ry  heart. 

Bring  Tyrlans,  Phlliftlnes  and  Moors, 
In  the  right  way  thy  fa^e  to  feek  ; 
Let  Satan  fall,  while  heav'n  adores, 
And  the  whole  earth  thy  praife  fhall  fpeak ! 

The  Hottentots  in  London. 

Ev.  Mag.  January  1804. 

The  Gentiles  Jhall  come  unto  thee  from  the  ends  of  the  earth,  isfc. 

Jer.  xvi.    19. 
Jehovah  fpake,  and  truth  attends  his  word, 
"  The  Gentile  nations  fliall  confefs  tlieir  Lord  ; 
"  Mefliah's  reign  fliall  o'er  the  world  extend  ; 
"  And  his  firm  throne  endure  till  time  fliall  end  !'■* 
Each  pafling  age  the  promife  bleft  reveals; 
Each  diftant  clime  the  fpreading  conqueft  feels  ; 
Each  diff'rent  tribe  fliall  by  the  crofs  be  won; 
And  all  the  Kingdoms  be  in  Jefus  one! 

Europe,  once  pagan,  barbarous,  and  blind. 
Now  civilized,  enlightened,  and  refin'd, 
Avows  the  chriftian  faith  ;  while  thoufands  fliarc 
Its  bleffings,  who  difgrace  the  name  they  oear  ! 
Yet  Europe  hath  its  righteous  fouls,  who  aim 
To  fpread  around  the  world  a  faviour's  name; 
O'er  Seas  and  ddfarts,  bold  they  perfevere  ; 
And  Lo  !  at  length,  the  firfl  ripe  fruits  appear  ! 

Who  are  thefe  of  olive  hue, 
Varied  forms  of  human  race, 
Uttering  language  harfli  and  new, 
Strangers  from  fome  diftant  place  ? 
Children  thefe  of  nature  rude, 
In  a  land  of  darknefs  born  ; 
By  oppreflion's  rod  fubdu'd, 
Europe's  ridicule  and  fcorn. 
F 


42 

Knowing  not  their  maker's  name  ; 
Having  not  the  means  to  know  ; 
Void  of  decency  or  fhame, 
And  unconfcious  of  their  woe, — 
Xiife  with  them  was  but  a  ftate, 
To  be  wretched,  and  to  die  ; 
And  their  everlafHng  fate 
Waken  d  not  an  anxious  Cgh  ! 

N 

What  a  change  in  thefe  is  wrought ! 
Trophies  rich  of  grace  divine  ; 
From  death's  gloomy  iliadows  brought, 
Humb'e  hghts  for  God,  to  fliine  ! 
What  could  break  old  habits  force, 
Stem  the  hold  of  fin,  fecure, 
Turn  corrupted  nature's  courfe. 
Into  channels  clean  and  pure  ? 

Mark  them ! — Savage  once,  and  wildj 
Now  adorn'd,  with  fmiles  ferene, 
Gentle,  teachable  and  mild, 
Decent  look  and  pious  mien. 
Hark  !  religion  joy  doth  bring. 
Tuning  grateful,  cheerful  praife  ; 
Sweetly  Jefus  love  they  Cng 
In  their  native  fimple  lays! 

Hail  thou  bleffed  gofpel  hail ! 
Where  thy  faithful  heralds  run. 
Peace  and  love,  and  joy  prevail, — 
Glory  is  on  earth  begun  ! 
Slaves  of  fin  releas'd  by  thee, 
Jefu's  friends  and  fervanta  are. 
Form  on  eartli  his  family, 
And  bis  heavenly  kingdom  fhare  !-^ 

Say  boarting  infidel,  can  all  your  fcbemcs. 
To  civilize  the  world,  fuch  converts  find  ! 
Could  vain  philofophy's  delufive  dreams. 
Or  reafon's  morals  thus  renew  the  mind  ? 
Would  your  phllanthrophy  the  work  defign,<— 
To  feek  the  wretched  of  the  human  race  ; 
*  Mid  Iceland's  fnows,  or  Afric's  burning  line. 
To  fpread  tlie  knowledge  of  a  faviour's  grace  I 


43 


God  work's  by  means  that  prove  his  fov'relgn  hand  j 
Infpircs  the  humble  to  confound  the  wife  ; 
EfFeds  by  fimple  agents,  movements  grand  ; 
Marks  out  the  track,  and  ready  ftrength  fuppHes  I 
Nor  weahh  nor  fame  attend  the  arduous  deed  ; 
But  toils  and  dangers  {trew  the  rugged  way  ; 
Unbought  they  labor,  and  unarm'd  fucceed  ;— 
Their  fword  is  truth,  and  fouls  renew'd  their  pay  ! 

O  ye,  who  mourn  a  world  in  error  dead, 
Whofe  fpirits  cry,"  Lord  let  thy  kingdom  come  1— 
Who  long  to  lee  the  glorious  gofpel  fpread, 
And  pant  to  welcome  wand'ring  finners  home, — 
Rejoice!   your  pray'rs  have  reached  the  throne  above  !' 
Go  on  ;  the  word  hath  reach'd  remoteft  lands  ! 
Your  work  of  faith,  and  labor  fweet  of  love. 
Shall  profper  in  the  great  redeemer's  hands! 


ANY  Perfon  furnishing  the  committee  of  Millions,  or  either  of 
them,  with  33  dollars  33,  cents,  will  be  the  means  of  fupplying  a 
Miflionary  to  preach  the  glad  tidings  of  falvation  to  fome  deftitute 
part  of  the  country  for  one  month. 

Blankets,  coarfe  woollens,  cottons,  books,  or  any  other  com- 
modity proper  for  the  cloathing  or  inftruftion  of  the  Indian  boys 
at  the  fchool  in  the  Cherokee  Nation  of  Indians,  will  be  thankfully 
received  by  the  committee,  or  either  of  them,  and  forwarded  ac- 
cordingly. 


The  form  of  a  devise  or  bequest  for  Missionary  purposes. 
I  A.  B.  Do  give,  devife  and  bequepth  to  the  truftees  of  the 
General  Aflembly  of  the  Prefbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States 

of  America  and  their  fucccfTors  for  ever. — All  that,  &c for 

the  ufes  of  their  Incorporation. 

The  names  of  the  Committee  of  Miflions  for  the  prelent  year. 
ASHBEL   GREEN,   Chairman. 
The  Rev.  Dr.  Samuel  Blair,       Elias   Boudinot, 

Philip  Milledoler,      Ebenezer  Hazard, 
Jacob  Janeway,  Robert  Smith. 


44 


The  edUor  has  taken  the  liberty  to  add  to  this  colleS'ion  the  foUoiv'ing  co- 
py ^if  ^  letter  received  from  the  •wejlern  country,  Jlatc  of  Tennejfcy 
<wrUten  by  a  Rev.  gentleman  ivell  known,  and  on  ivhoft  knoivledge 
andjlt'iii  veracity  great  reliance  may  be  placed. 

Marvville,  January  ao,   1804. 

Rev.  and  dear  Sir, 

The  wonderful  appearances  attendant  on  the  revival  in  the  ftate 
of  Tenneffee  has  arreted  the  attention  of  both  the  friends  and  ene- 
mies of  religion.  The  bodily  exercife  has  aifumed  fuch  a  variety  of 
fliapes  as  to  render  it  a  truly  herculian  tafli  to  give  in  intelligent  Ltate- 
ment  of  it  to  any  perfon  who  has  never  feen  it.  However,  I  do  not 
heiitate  to  fay  that  it  is  evidently  the  Lord's  work  though  marvellous 
in  our  eyes. 

Since  my  return  to  the  ftate  of  Tennellee  I  have  attended  eight  fa- 
craments,  and  thefe  in  different  parts  of  the  country.  From  1000  to 
S500  have  been  aflembled  together — of  courfe,  collected  from  conll- 
dcrable  diftances.  I  have  converfed  particularly  with  upwards  of  800 
perfons  on  their  exercifes,  views,  feelings  &c.  and  I  am  conftrain- 
ed  to  fay,  that  1  have  difcovered  far  lefs  extravagance,  diforder  and 
irregularity,  than  could  have  poffibly  been  expeded  in  fo  extraordina- 
ry an  awakening,  efpecially  when  part  of  it  took  place  among  perfons 
fettled  in  the  back  parts  and  entirely  deftitute  of  the  means  of  grace. 
If  crouded  audiences,  earneft  praying — pradical  preaching — and  ani- 
mated finging,  may  be  confidered  irregular,  there  is  a  great  deal  of  ir- 
regularity. If  crying  out  for  mercy.  If  fhouting  glory  to  God  for 
falvation,  are  diforderly  ?  then  there  is  forae  diforder,  but  I  prefume 
not  more  than  there  was  at  the  day  of  Pentecofi. 

The  only  thing  with  us  which  can  be  conftrued  into  diforder  or 
extravagance,  is  the  motions  of  the  body  under  the  exercife.  Thefe 
I  V  ill  aiteru))t  to  defcribe.  In  a  number  of  inftances,  the  firfl  fynip- 
tora-fit,  is  a  violent  trembling  throughout  the  fy (fern — a  difficulty  of 
breathing  and  a  prelfure  about  the  heart  as  if  the  diflblution  of  nature 
was  faft  approaching;  and  often  the  perfon  (in  facft)  believes  that  it 
is  juft  at  hapd.  Sometimes  they  fall  and  lye  motionlefs  for  fome 
time — the  length  of  the  time  is  very  irregular.  Some  do  not  fall, 
but  a  jerking  takes  place  in  the  nerves,  which  has  every  fymptomof 
the  ftrongelt  convulfion  and  produces  motions  precifely  of  the  fame 
kind. — The  head  will  be  foraetimes  jerked  forv/ard  and  fometimes 
backwards,  with  fuch  violence  you  would  fuppofe  it  would  fly  off" 
tlie  Ihouldcrs.  At  other  times  the  arms  will  be  projeded— the  lifts 
clinched  and  the  fmews  fo  ftrong,  that  it  is  impoflible  to  bend  them 
and  fo  of  every  other  part  of  the  body,  on  which  the  influence  lights. 
'I  he  mufcles,  about  the  brain  and  jaws  fometimes  become  afFefted — 
then  the  perfon  will  laugh  in  the  moft  extraordinary  manner,  though 


45 


it  is  altogether  involuntary,  as  indeed  all  the  bodily  exercifes  are; 
I  have  frequently  feen  perfons  who  would  forely  lament,  after  it  was 
over,  faying  they  felt  more  difpofed  to  cry,  than  laugh,  but  they 
could  not  avoid  it.  In  a  few  minutes  the  fame  perfon  will  break 
into  a  flood  of  tears  and  be  in  the  utmofl;  diftrefs,  but  it  is  only  when 
afFefled  in  this  way,  they  can  Hied  tears  while  in  the  bodily  exercife, 
which  appears  evidently  to  take  the  pla£e  of  and  fupercede  them  al- 
together. If  at  any  time  tears  break  forth  in  an  afl'embly,  the  bodi- 
ly exercife  ceafes,  at  times,  almoft  entirely.  Sometimes  the  tongue 
will  be  fo  affefled  that  though  the  j^erfon  is  walking  about  in  perfedt 
health  and  quite  fenfible,  yet  he  cannot  fpeak  a  word  for  hours. 
The  eyes  will  alfo  be  frequently  afFcfted  in  the  fame  way.  The  whole 
fyftem  is  often  fo  influenced,  that  in  whatever  pollurc  the  perfon  is, 
whether  landing  or  fetting,  when  taken,  he  will  remain  motionlefs 
and  as  ftiflfas  if  dead  for  feveral  hours;  during  v/hlch  period  you  can 
fcarcely  difcern  the  motion  of  the  pulfe,  and  the  extremities  will 
grow  completely  cold.  In  this  ftate  they  are  ufually  infenfible  to 
any  thing  paifrng  around  them,  but  the  mind  is  in  full  employ,  and 
they  can  clearly  rccoilecfl  their  meditations. — Frequently  the  effedt 
falls  on  the  nerves  of  the  thighs  and  legs,  and  then  the  perfons  will 
be  fo  difpofed  to  run,  that  if  you  hold  them  (v/hich  has  been 
attempted)  it  nearly  takes  their  life.  If  let  alone,  they  will  run 
from  20  to  ICO  yards  through  the  thickeft  woods,  with  their  eyes 
fhut,  with  a  mod  aftoniihing  velocity,  and  then  drop  motionlefs  as 
if  fliot  ;  and  what  is  very  remarkable,  few  cafes  have  ever  happened, 
where  the  fubjedt  of  any  exercife  has  done  themfelves  any  injury. 
In  mod  of  the  cales,  when  the  paro.xifm  begins  to  go  off,  the  fub- 
jedt  feels  the  ftrongeft  defire  for  prayer,  and  frequently  exprefles  him- 
felf  in  the  mod  pathetic,  fluent  and  pertinent  manner  I  ever  heard. 
Children  of  5  or  6  and  perfons  who  before  appeared  grofsly  ignorant 
exprefs  themfelves  in  fu.ch  a  manner — form  their  petitions  fojudici- 
oufly  and  introduce  fcripturc  fo  pertinently,  that  I  queflion,  if  the 
greatell:  Dodlor  of  divinity  in  America  would  not  blufh  in  the  view 
of  his  own  inferiority.  A  number  of  the  bodily  exercifes  immitate 
pieces  of  condu(5l,  which  are  known  by  common  names,  and  from 
that  circumdance  are  denominated;  and  thus,  with  thofe  who  are 
not  eye  witnefl'es,  has  all  the  odium  of  the  praiflicein  common  ufe, 
attached  to  it — but  a  perfon  who  candidly  views  the  whole  affair, 
will  fee  fuch  a  difference,  that  though,  from  hcarfay,  he  has  imbi- 
bed prejudices,  he  Vv-ill  change  his  opinion,  and  admire  the  power 
of  God.  Of  this  kind,  are  thofe  motions  call  dancing,  pointhig,  fiTht- 
ing  &c.  Under  the  exercife,  fometimes  the  feet  and  hands  will 
move  fomething  like  dancing  and  if  they  are  fo  confined  that  they 
cannot  rife,  the  motion  will  continue;  and  if  you  hold  the  particu- 
lar part,  fuch  convulfions  will  feizc  the  whole  frame  as  you  would 


46 

fiippofe  would  tear  it  in  pieces — yet  in  all  the  convulfions  and  exer- 
cifes,  there  is  no  pain,  but  the  mod  pleafing  fenfations,  except  when 
{nil  feized,  or  v/hat  rifes  from  the  diftrefs  of  mind.     The  dancing 
(as  it  is  called)  is  one  of  the  moft  folenin  appearances  I  ever  have" 
j'cen.     The  eyes  are  fhut.     The  ccurtenance  brightened  with  joy 
and  the  motions  of  the  body,  a  kind  of  leaping  or  dancing  very  expref- 
five  of  their  feelings.     This  exercife  is  iifuaily  attended  with  a  tune, 
which  is  uniformly  the  fame,  in  thofe  who  fing  at  all,  and  is  very 
melodious.     Some  ufe  words  which  are  defcriptive  of  their  train  of 
thought — fuch  as  "  come  Lord  Jefus — Oh  come  lovely  Jefus" — • 
or  Holy!   Holy!   Holy!   Lord  of  Hofts!   See.  &c"  I  have  feen 
children,  who  I  am  fure  never  danced  a  ftep  in  their  lives,  nor  ever 
Hiw  any  body  dancing,  rife  and  have  the  fame  motions  with  thofe, 
who  might  be  fuppofed  to  have  done  it  from  pradice,  or  from  immi- 
tation  !   Old  men  of  6c,  who  have  fupported  an  vmblemifhed  cha- 
racter for  religion,  for  30  years  and  who  held  dancing  in  the  m.oft 
perfefl  abhorrence,  have  notwithlhinding  been  brought  to  the  exer- 
cife ffo  called)  though  the  moit  again  ft  their  inclination.      It  has  fer- 
ved  as  an  effeflual  check  to  carnal  dancing  in  this  part  of  the  world 
— fuch  a  thing  can  fcarcely  be  heard  of  in  the  circle  of  an  acquain- 
tance.    When  the  arm  is  ftrung,  and  railed  horizontally  with  the 
forefinger  projeded,  it  is  called  pointing;  this  often  takes  place, 
though  the  eye:,  are  fliut,  and  they  haVe  no  defign  in  the  cafe — alfo 
when  the  fil't  is  clinclied  in  one  of  thofe  convulfions,  the  perfon  will 
ftrike  any  thing  indifcrimin.itely,  as  well  a  tree,  or  a  (lump,  as  a  man ; 
this  however  is  called  /Jg/jting.      And  tiie  fame  obfervations,  arc  ap- 
plicable to  all  the  bodily  exercifes  which  appear.      The  fubjects  of 
thofe  exercifcs  are  found  in  all  claflcs,  ranks  and  degrees.     The  per- 
fon of  ^o  and  the  child  of  4 — the  mafter  in  affluence  and  the  flave 
in  bondage.     The  clergy  in  the  pulpit  and  the  laity  in  the  pews. 
The  man  of  long  rehgious  (landing,  thofe  of  a  recent  date  and  many 
v/ho  have  no  religion  at  all.     It  is  univerfally  agreed  that  there  is  no 
religion  in  the  bodily  exercife;  yet  it  is  tiiought  to  be  a  very  folemn, 
external  call — is  well  calculated  to  imprefs  the  mind,  and  ought  to  be 
improved.     It  never  can  be  accounted  for,  ixomfympathy^  nor  is  it 
always  increafed  by  thinking — numbers  have  taken  it    when  a  fleep, 
or  at  their  work,  or  in  thoughtlefs  mirth;  tho'  having  never  attended 
to  any  means  of  grace  for  years  paft,  and  after  they  felt  it,  they 
fought  againft  it  for  feveral  days,  and  attempted  to  banilh  it  by  drink- 
ing or  divcrfions,  till  .it  lail  conquered,  they  were  forced  to  acknow- 
ledge it  was  the  hand  of  God. 

Should  the  folution  be  attempted  on  the  ground  of  fympathy, 
we  muft  not  only  fuppofe  a  {\\9i pretender  to  bring  it  into  motion,  but 
.alfo  fuch  to  be  regularly  ading  in  concert  in  every  v/orfliipping  af- 
fembly  to  carry  on  the  fuvce  ;  and  how  we  fliould  account  for  th« 


47 

individuals  in  the  woods  taking  of  it,  I  know  not,  feeing  that  they 
have  it  more  violent  in  private  devotion,  than  in  company.  In  Tnort, 
I  have  not  only  heard  of  it,  and  fccn  it,  hut  have  felt  it,  and  am 
perfuaded  that  it  is  only  to  be  efFcded  by  the  immediate  Tinger  of 
God.  There  are  fome  impoftors — there  are  fome  extravagancies, 
but  thefe  make  no  charaderidic  feature  of  the  v  ork,  and  are  held 
in  abfolute  aborrence  by  the  fimple  and  pious.  The  belt  evidence 
of  a  revival  is  the  fruit  produced. — To  this  v/c  fliall  attend — a  full 
enumeration  of  this  Vvould  Iwell  my  long  letter  to  a  volume.  The 
infidel  of  many  years  ftanding,  is  often  feen  kyinj^j  down  his  wea- 
pons at  the  foot  of  the  crofs  ;  and  heard  crjing  caw,  "  There  is  a 
Jefus — I  enjoy  more  fweetnefs  in  a  moment,  than  I  have  done  for 
years,  &c."  Thefe  things  I  have  fen  and  heard.  They  have  alfo 
declared,  that  men  and  books  could  never  have  fo  effedually  con- 
vinced them  of  the  truth,  as  the  bodily  exercifc  has  done.  Thofe 
of  the  fame  clafs,  v/ho  are  not  convinced,  are  completely  filenced, 
and  have  obtained  their  ne  plus  idira.  The  Ball  Rocm,  tipiing 
{hops,  and  taverns,  have,  in  a  number  of  inftances,  been  thrown 
open  to  the  pious,  and  converted  into  places  of  prayer  and  praifc 
in  focial  exercife.  The  mod  loofe  and  profane  fettlements,  where 
religion  was  not  known,  or  the  name  of  God  mentioned,  only  ia 
blafphemy,  are  reguL.rly  formed  into  focieties,  and  meet  weekly 
for  focial  prayer.  The  very  caves  of  the  mountains  where  a  few  of 
the  more  indifferent  had  crowded,  are  now  founding  with  praife  to 
God.  Praying  focieties  may  be  attended  every  day  or  every  night 
in  the  week,  by  a  ride  of  a  few  miles. — In  thefe,  boys  of  12  or  15 
will  chearfulh'  take  their  part,  when  called  upon.  In  all  thefe  fo- 
cieties, there  is  one  appointed  to  prefide,  who  reads  the  Scriptures — 
choofes  and  points  out  the  hymns,  and  calls  on  perfons  to  pray  as 
he  choofes,  and  thus  all  is  conduced  with  decency  and  order. — It 
is  not  uncommon  on  Sabbath  evenings  and  frequently  in  the  week, 
to  find  20  or  more  children-  aflbciated  in  a  filent  grove,  none  of 
them  more  than  12  years  old,  and  engaged  in  the  moil  folemn 
prayer. 

1  have  under  covert,  drawn  near  them,  and  feen  and  heard  won- 
ders indifcribable.  Some  crying  to  Jefus  for  mercy — fome  fliout- 
ing,"  glory  to  God  for  falvation."  Others,  praying  for  their  owii 
fouls — their  brothers,  fillers,  fathers,  mothers,  friends,  miniders — 
praying  for  the  church — the  heathen — yea  for  the  world  at  large.  O I 
fir  nothing  but  the  Hofanna's  of  the  children  on  the  entry  ofChrill 
into  Jerufalem,  could  equal  the  praifes  of  thofe  infants.  Nor  is  this 
a  hafly  flafh,  but  continues, while  theyare  cridcntly  become  both  more 
dutiful  and  docile.  Their  dcfirc,  as  foon  as  they  take  the  bodily  ex- 
ercife, for  in(lru(ftion  and  for  the  means  of  grace,  is  pall  conception. 
The  poor  black  flaves,  are  much  refoimcd — they  are  mere  duiifuJ, 


48 


faithful  and  upright;  and  many  of  their  nights,  after  days  of  fatigue/ 
are  fpcnt  in  focial  prayer.  In  a  word  the  chriftian  is  animated — the 
hypocrite  alarmed  and  finners  tremble.  The  dodrines  of  the  crofs  are 
thirfted  after  and  more  fully  underftood,  than  they  would  have  been, 
in  a  common  way,  in  lo  years  regular  attention — total  depravity — 
free  grace  -inexcufable  rebellion,  and  infinite  mercy,  are  favourite 
topics — The  great  objedl  appears  to  be,  to  defpife  felf,  and  exalt  the 
redeemer.  The  (inner  ceafes  to  make  terms  with  his  creator,  and 
furrenders  in  entire,  unconditional  fubmiilion.  The  love  of  chris- 
tians for  each  other,  has  increafed  at  leaft  tenfold,  efpecially  with 
thofe  who  have  been  the  fubjefts  of  the  bodily  exercifes  (for  it  is  to 
be  remarked,  that  all  chriflians  are  not  the  fubjedts  of  it)  and  the 
zeai  for  the  intercii;  of  Zion  has  had  a  proportionate  increafe.  Pray- 
er, praife  and  religious  converfaiion,  are  clearly  the  order  of  the  day; 
and  this  pradice,  paJmg  through  the  common  circles  of fociety,  has 
bettered  their  ftate  and  fweetened  the  relations  oHife. 

Thefe  are  feme  of  the  effedts  produced,  and  while  fuch  is  the 
fruit  of  the  moral  tree,  I  fhall  confider  the  root  good,  and  the 
caufe  producing  it  divine.  I  ought  to  have  remarked,  that  the 
bodily  exercife,  is  not  the  effad  of  the  weaknefs  of  the  nervous 
fyftem,  for  the  weak  hyderical  female,  will  often  remain  unmoved, 
while  the  ftout  and  fturdy  veteran,  will  fink  and  fall  by  her  fide — 
As  foon  as  any  perfon  who  has  been  the  fubjedl  of  the  exercifes  has 
been  attacked  by  ficknefs,  the  exercife  leaves  him  entirely,  until  he 
again  recovers  flrength,  when  it  returns  with  force,  proportionate 
to  his  returning  (Irength.  After  all  I  have  faid,  you  will  not  be 
able  to  form  an  accurate  judgment  of  the  thing  without  being  a  fpec- 
tator  yourfelf,  nor  can  it  be  fully  defcribed  by  any  man  on  earth.  1 
have  iimply  ftated  f;i(5ts  fo  far  as  I  have  gone,  not  any  by  hearfay, 
but  what  I  have  fecn  myfclf. — Should  the  bodily  exercife  produce 
as  good  fruits  in  Philadelphia,  as  it  has  done  here,  I  fhould  fincerely 
wifh  to  hear  of  it  making  its  appearance  in  that  city.  When  per- 
fdns  are  under  the  bodily  exercile,  they  can  think  and  exprefs  them- 
felves  beyond  their  common  level  very  confiderably,  and  of  this  I 
am  convinced  by  experience. 

I  am,  &c. 


^3^The  pro/its  arising  from  the  sale  of  tli'is  pam- 
pJdet,  are  to  be  applied  ioicards  dcj'rai/ing  the  ex- 
pence  of  Missions. 


